Kevin Pietersen ruled out of Champions Trophy by knee injury

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy this summer as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Pietersen, 32, missed the third Test against New Zealand in March because of bruising on the bone and was already set to sit out the return Test series.

However, a scan on Wednesday confirmed he will miss the one-day internationals and Champions Trophy that follow.

He could be back by mid-June, with the first Ashes Test beginning on 10 July.

The England & Wales Cricket Board said in a statement: "The scan has shown some improvement in the bruising to the bone that occurred in the build up to the Test series against New Zealand in February.

"However, Pietersen will not have recovered sufficiently in time for the one-day series against New Zealand beginning 31 May and the Champions Trophy which follows.

"Pietersen will now start a graduated rehabilitation program with a view to resuming full training by the middle of June."

England coach Andy Flower said recently that Pietersen needed "significant rest" in order to be fully fit for a busy 2013 schedule.

Following the home New Zealand series, England host the Champions Trophy tournament and then compete in a five-Test Ashes series against Australia, beginning at Trent Bridge.

England then travel to Australia for another Ashes series, which runs from 21 November until 7 January 2014.