Jack Wilshere will miss the World Cup after being left out of England's 23-man squad by manager Gareth Southgate.
The 26-year-old had hoped to travel to Russia after forcing his way back into contention in recent months, but was told of the news in a telephone call earlier on Tuesday.
Wilshere has not played a single minute under Southgate since he took charge - initially on a temporary basis in September 2016 - but he was named in his last squad for a friendly double-header against Netherlands and Italy.
However, Wilshere was forced to pull out with a knee injury - a setback which has turned out to be a decisive blow in his bid to prove his fitness.
Wilshere has made 38 appearances for Arsenal this season but Southgate has ultimately decided he cannot be relied upon to stay fit in Russia.
Yet the sting in the tail for Wilshere is that it is believed Southgate has instead opted for Manchester City's Fabian Delph, who has played 29 times for City, had not made an England appearance under the current manager either.
Delph's greater versatility- he has been used as a left-back and in central midfield at City this season - appears to have won the day.
Elsewhere, West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart also appears to have been overlooked for Burnley's Nick Pope, who also earned his first call-up in March but is yet to make his England debut.
