Hampshire's Dawson '˜gutted' to leave England tour of Sri Lanka

The Hampshire left-arm spinner left the squad on Monday after picking up a side strain.

Dawson felt the injury while bowling his second over in the victory in Dambulla on Saturday, and is likely to be out for at least a month.

The injury denies the 28-year-old the chance to try to claim one of the few remaining spots in the England squad for next year's World Cup.

And speaking via his official Twitter account, @Daws128, Dawson admitted it was a tough blow to take. 

He tweeted: 'Thanks for the messages.

'Gutted to be going home and ruled out for the series.

'Injuries are always tough to take.

'Good luck to the lads for the remaining games.'

Dawson has been replaced in the England squad by all-rounder Joe Denly, who was due to arrive in Sri Lanka next week with the Test squad.