Having been dumped as Australia skipper, Stirling Mortlock will now have to wait to remind coach Robbie Deans of his talents.

The centre has torn a calf muscle in training and will miss the Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand in Tokyo on October 31. He is also out of the first match of the Wallabies’ European tour, against England on November 7.

Last week Mortlock expressed his disappointment at losing the captaincy to flanker Rocky Elsom, with coach Deans deciding for a different approach following a dismal Tri-Nations.

The 32-year-old then put on a united front, insisting he was behind his coach and new captain.

But the historic clash with the All Blacks in Japan next week and the game with England, at Twickenham, would have been the perfect way for Mortlock to show he can still do the job.

However, he will now be left behind in Australia for more treatment when Deans and his troops fly to Japan on Sunday.

The Brumbies star said: “The best way forward for me is getting treatment here in Australia and doing that over the next two and a half weeks and hopefully meeting up with the team, raring to go.

“It’s bad enough, it’s a decent size tear in the muscle. It’s disappointing but you take it in your stride.”

Mortlock will now target the game against Ireland on November 15 to return.

“I think realistically we’re targeting being 100 per cent right by that week leading into the Ireland match,” he said. “I’ll be ready to go, don’t worry about that.”

Meanwhile, England’s plans for the clash with Australia have suffered a further blow after World Cup-winning front row forward Phil Vickery was ruled out of their entire autumn international series.

Coach Martin Johnson’s plans had already been mauled when key prop Andrew Sheridan was ruled out of the games against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand with a shoulder injury.

But with former captain Vickery now joining him on the sidelines, Johnson will have to shuffle his pack.

“Due to an exacerbation of neck pain, Phil Vickery has been closely monitored and it was deemed necessary that Phil should be reviewed further by a consultant neurosurgeon,” said a statement from his club Wasps.

“A collective decision by Phil, the consultant, Wasps’ medical team and England has been made to progress with surgery to his neck. This will entail a rehab period in excess of three months.”

Full-back Delon Armitage, centre Riki Flutey, hooker Lee Mears and flanker Tom Rees are also out of England’s matches next month.
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