07 March,2011 12:57 PM IST | | ANI
Eoin Morgan is all set to replace England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who will miss the rest of the World Cup and return home to undergo a hernia operation.
"Kevin Pietersen will return to the United Kingdom in the next 24 hours because of a hernia injury," said the spokesman.
"England has applied to the ICC for Eoin Morgan to come as a replacement player," the spokesman said.
Team officials had said on Saturday that Pietersen would undergo an operation, but only after the tournament.
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However, the procedure has been brought forward after the 30-year-old was clearly troubled during Sunday's six-run win against South Africa at the Chidambaram Stadium.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed that they have acted to avoid further aggravation of the problem.
Pietersen could return to England when his teammates fly from India to Bangladesh later on Monday for their next match on Friday.
