England v Pakistan: Tim Bresnan ruled out of UAE Tests

Bresnan has played 10 Tests, 57 ODIs and 20 Twenty20s for England

Tim Bresnan has been ruled out of England's Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

The Yorkshire seamer, 26, who had elbow surgery in November, suffered swelling while training in Dubai last week.

He may still be available for the limited-overs internationals that begin on 15 February.

Durham seamer Graham Onions, who is already with England as cover, will join the squad as a replacement while Bresnan returns home to rest his elbow.

"I'm obviously gutted not to play in the Test series but I knew looking at my rehabilitation it was always going to be touch and go," said Bresnan.

"The priority for me now is to get myself ready for the one-day series in February."

Bresnan sat out England's three-wicket win over an International Cricket Council Combined XI on Monday after aggravating the injury last Wednesday.

"I think we were all expecting him to be absolutely fine," Strauss said after England successfully chased 261 on the third and final day to win their opening warm-up match.

"We're all gutted for him, because it's come from left-field. It's surprised him and us.

"He's probably not going to be able to play for two or three weeks. That means he's unable to play any part in the Test series, so he's flying home."

Onions, who recovered from a career-threatening back injury, sympathises with Bresnan. The Durham seamer told BBC Radio 5 Live: "A couple of years ago, I was on a Bangladesh tour and I had to fly home. It's never nice.

"Unfortunately for Tim, he hasn't quite recovered in time. But, for me, it gives me an opportunity be a part of the number one Test side in the world. I want to try to make a difference.

"I feel fine. A year ago, when I had the surgery, it was certainly the toughest part of my career. It was not the kind of thing I'd want to go through again.

"The mental side of trying to overcome such a serious injury has been tough. Pretty much every day, for the first two months really, I feared I might not play again."

Graeme Swann is to have a precautionary scan on a leg muscle injury that prevented him from fielding on Monday, while Chris Tremlett, who missed the match with an eye infection, is also due to see a doctor.

England start a second warm-up match against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI on Wednesday for which wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior will be available, despite a bruised finger.

The first of three Test matches, two of which will be played in Dubai, the other in Abu Dhabi, begins on 17 January.

England then take on their Lions side in a one-day game before playing three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games against Pakistan.