Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has been ruled out of tonight's European Championship qualifier against Macedonia after failing to shake off a groin injury.

Heskey limped out of a training session on Tuesday and has failed to recover in time for this evening's clash at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium.

Football Association director of communications Paul Newman said: "Emile is unfit for tonight's game and he will be going back to his club.

"Sven Goran Eriksson thought it would be silly to risk him tonight and so he is returning to Liverpool with the hope of being fit for his club."

Leeds United's Alan Smith is expected to take Heskey's place having impressed Eriksson during last month's friendly with Portugal in which the youngster claimed England's only goal in a 1-1 draw.

The only other expected change to the side which beat Slovakia on Saturday will be the return of fit-again Sol Campbell, who should come in at the expense of Jonathan Woodgate.

England (probable): Seaman, Neville, Campbell, Southgate, Cole, Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Gerrard, Smith, Owen.