Leeds centre or full-back Zak Hardaker has pulled out of England's rugby league World Cup squad for personal reasons.
The 22-year-old's withdrawal leaves coach Steve McNamara with a squad of 23 for the last group game against Fiji in Hull on Saturday and the knockout stages.
A statement from England said: "Due to personal issues, Zak Hardaker is unable to commit to the England Rugby League programme and has informed the England RL management team that he wishes to withdraw from the squad and will not play any further part in Rugby League World Cup 2013."
England say they will work with Leeds to support Hardaker, who has asked for privacy.
Hardaker did not play in either of England's first two matches and his absence from last Saturday's clash with Ireland at Huddersfield was at the time put down by coach Steve McNamara to illness.
McNamara was angered by speculation that Hardaker was set to become the second player to be thrown out of the England camp for a breach of discipline and, in an interview with the BBC before kick-off, accused the media of "making up stories to try and disrupt my squad".
Hardaker was thought to be among the group of players who broke an alcohol ban in the aftermath of England's shock defeat by Italy in a warm-up match at Salford on October 19.
Second row forward Gareth Hock, who was expelled from the tournament after sleeping in and missing the following morning's recovery session, revealed in a television interview that "six or seven" players in all were involved in the drinking session and claimed McNamara had told him they would also be punished.
Prop forward James Graham was a notable absentee when McNamara named his team for the World Cup opener against Australia in Cardiff but returned to face the Irish.
Hardaker won his only cap as full-back in the absence of Sam Tomkins for the opening match of the 2012 autumn international series against Wales in Wrexham, where he scored two tries in an 80-12 victory.
He fought his way into contention for a World Cup spot with a man-of-the-match performance in England Knights' 52-16 win over Samoa last month but was not selected for the game against Australia.
Hardaker, who joined Leeds from Featherstone as a three-quarter before making a successful switch to full-back following the departure of Brent Webb, was seen as a potential centre partner for his Rhinos' team-mate Kallum Watkins but two impressive displays by Leroy Cudjoy look to have secured him the number four jersey. (PA)