England's pace duo ruled out of Ireland Test series

England will be without the services of two of their key pacers for the one-off Test against Ireland, starting 1 June at Lord's.

Pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have been ruled out of the Lord's Test against Ireland but are on course to be fit for the Ashes. 

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Anderson had a groin strain while playing for Lancashire against Somerset while Robinson had an Achilles tendon irritation while featuring for Sussex against Glamorgan in the County Championship.

Both the quicks have failed to recover adequately in time for the Lord's Test against Ireland but will be ready for the first Ashes Test starting 16 June.

Confirming the injuries, England head coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports, "We've got a couple of niggles, so we're just monitoring those at the moment. Every team that goes into a series has got a couple of little things that you need to work through, but we're pretty confident we'll have a good squad to be able to pick from.

"For the first Ashes Test, I think [Anderson and Robinson] should be fit. They won't be fit for this one against Ireland. We'll just have to monitor it over this next sort of while, but we've got some great options right throughout the squad."

McCullum was also confident that skipper Ben Stokes would soon return to bowling in what is a big summer of cricket for England. 

"Stokesy is progressing well too. He looks really fit as well, looks in great order and has a big smile on his face. He is delighted to be back around the group and as our leader, having that sort of energy he brings is fantastic, so again we'll monitor that and see what happens.

"I think he'll bowl at some stage throughout the summer, yeah, no doubt. He is a world-class allrounder and if he is able to bowl, fantastic. If not, we'll find a way," McCullum added.

England will first face Ireland in a four--day Test between 1-4 June before embarking on their Ashes campaign against Australia which will take place between 16 June and 31 July.