Steven Finn and Mark Wood have reportedly been ruled out of England's tour of South Africa due to injuries.
Trevor Bayliss was without Finn for the recent Test and one-day series against Pakistan due to a bone stress injury in his left foot.
The bowler is not expected to be fit until the New Year, therefore will not be part of the team who will take on the Proteas in December, while Wood is expected to need an operation on an ongoing ankle problem, according to The Mirror.
Liam Plunkett, Chris Woakes and Mark Footitt are favourites to contest for the seamer spot ahead of the first Test, which gets underway in Durban on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Ben Stokes is expected to be fit after injuring his collarbone in Sharjah a fortnight ago.
