Stuart Broad will miss at least England's next eight matches because of a muscle tear in his right shoulder.

The Twenty20 captain was yesterday ruled out of two matches against West Indies at the end of next week, and the final fixture of five in the NatWest Series against India at Cardiff on Friday.

But in a near worst-case scenario, the England and Wales Cricket Board also confirmed that Broad - who hurt himself bowling in Sunday's tie with India at Lord's - will have to sit out the return leg of one-day internationals against those same opponents on the sub-continent next month.

England are therefore left looking for a replacement to captain the team against the Windies in their final two matches of the summer at The Oval, as well as a pivotal bowling all-rounder in India.

An ECB statement read: "Stuart Broad will miss the final ODI against India and the NatWest Twenty20 series against West Indies, as well as the ODI leg of the India tour, with a muscle tear within his right shoulder.

"Broad may be fit to join the England squad for the Twenty20 fixture scheduled for October 29 in Kolkata."

ECB chief medical officer Nick Peirce added: "Stuart has a muscle tear within his shoulder and will require an initial period of rest and rehabilitation.

"Exact timescales will be determined in due course, but he is likely to be ruled out of cricket for a number of weeks."

In the immediate future, England must identify a last-minute choice of captain to take on West Indies.

Steven Finn had to complete Broad's bowling duties and, dosed up with pain-killers and after an uncomfortable net on the nursery ground, it was decided he would be able to bat if necessary as England chased 280 for five.

Broad's number eight position was filled instead by Graeme Swann, however, and he was held back to 11 - not required in the end as bad weather resulted in a dramatic Duckworth-Lewis tie which meant England clinched the series.

They are 2-0 up with only the final match to come.