Graeme Swann will focus his attention on regaining his fitness in time for the World Cup after a back injury ended his tour of Australia prematurely.Swann is set to fly home on Wednesday after he was ruled out for the rest of the seven-match one-day international series, which England trail 3-0, due to a lower back strain.
While a date for Swann's return has not been specified team director Andy Flower said on Tuesday that he expected the 31-year-old would be fit in time for England's World Cup opener against Holland on February 22.
"It's frustrating to return home from the tour early but the priority for me now is the World Cup and getting my body right so that I am able to play an important role for England throughout the tournament," Swann said.
"I will be following the rest of the series and hope to see England put in some positive performances over the next fortnight. I've had the time of my life over here and bringing back the Ashes is something that will always stay with me."
Swann had missed the past two one-day internationals after suffering a knee injury in the first Twenty20 international and had not been expected to return until the penultimate match of the 50-over series next week.
But after his latest complaint the England team management decided they could not afford to take any risks with the world's top-ranked spinner, especially as he is likely to play a significant role in the sub-continental World Cup.
"It is best for him to go home and get ready for the World Cup," Flower said.
"It is a big blow because he is an important part of our side.
"He is a world-class performer and he is full of confidence after the Ashes, but these things happen. We are coming towards the end of a long, hard tour and certainly the physical challenges are starting to take their toll."
