England's Steven Finn set to miss fourth Test with side strain

By PA Sport

Image: Steven Finn in action on the first day of the third Test at the Wanderers

England seamer Steven Finn looks certain to miss the fourth Test against South Africa with a side strain.

Finn felt tightness in his left side during England's series-clinching victory at the Wanderers and was sent for scans on Sunday morning.

But head coach Trevor Bayliss is pessimistic about his prospects, paving the way for Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan or Mark Footitt to feature in Centurion, as England bid to claim a 3-0 success.

Image: Finn (middle) celebrates after dismissing Hashim Amla in the first Test

"Steven is away getting scans but to be honest I doubt very much whether he'll be available for the next Test," Bayliss said.

"We'll have to wait and see how bad it is and make a decision on the one-day and Twenty20 series. But at this stage it looks like we have to make a replacement there heading into the last Test.

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"That's unfortunate because I thought he was probably our most dangerous bowler in the first two Tests."

The Verdict panel believe England should pick left-armer Mark Footitt if Steve Finn misses the fourth Test against South Africa through injury.

Finn missed the entire Pakistan series with a bone stress injury in his left foot and was not in the initial squad for South Africa.

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But he proved his fitness during a stint with England Lions in Dubai and forced his way into the XI with a commanding display against South Africa A.

In the first three Tests, he took 11 wickets at an average of 26.09.

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