Jason Roy will miss the opening game of Surrey's Championship defence against Essex on Thursday with a hamstring injury – denying him a rare red-ball opportunity to push for Test selection.
Roy had been confident of being fit but last week Alec Stewart predicted that he would miss out.
As he is certain to be involved in all England’s limited-overs action until the end of the World Cup, he is unlikely to play red-ball cricket before England face Ireland in a four-day Test at Lord’s in July.
Liam Plunkett is in line to make his first-class debut for Surrey, but Amar Virdi also misses out through injury.
England quick Plunkett, who joined Surrey from Yorkshire this winter, is named in the 13-man squad to face Essex having played against Durham MCCU last week.
Virdi has a 'stress reaction' injury in the back. He is bowling again and it is hoped he will feature against Somerset on May 14 at Taunton.
As a result, spinners Gareth Batty and Freddie van den Bergh make the squad but both could miss out if Surrey decide to select Ryan Patel.
