An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement said: "Stephen Harmison has suffered an exacerbation of the hernia problem which he experienced during the fourth Test against West Indies at Durham.

"He will be reassessed by ECB medical staff early next week and at this stage he is rated extremely doubtful for the first Test against India starting on Thursday."

The selectors, due to announce the squad on Sunday, had their plans disrupted after Harmison aggravated his "non-serious hernia" injury while playing Friday in Durham's ongoing Championship match away to champions Sussex at Hove where he bowled just five overs.

Harmison withdrew from the remainder of the four-day game on Saturday and chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said of the quick's injury: "He will have it reassessed on Monday. At this stage he would have to be considered extremely doubtful for the first Test.

"He is not ruled out."

The 28-year-old Harmison originally sustained the injury at his Riverside home ground nearly a month ago during England's fourth Test win against the West Indies.

However, he opted against immediate surgery after being advised he could continue to play in the India series and Durham's Friends Provident Trophy final against Hampshire on August 18 - the county's first senior Lord's final.