England head coach Trevor Bayliss has admitted that losing Ben Stokes to another injury would be a blow for his side ahead of their third Test against Pakistan.
England comfortably levelled the series against the tourists at Old Trafford courtesy of a 330-run victory in the second Test, but Stokes pulled up during day four with a calf injury.
The all-rounder is expected to miss the third Test at Edgbaston as a result, but Bayliss is hopeful that someone else will step up to the plate, as Chris Woakes did during Stokes's recent absence.
"If he does miss out, it will give someone else an opportunity. Yes, he's a big player for us - he adds a lot of spark to the team," he told reporters.
"He bats, bowls and he's a leader in the field - so it is a bit of a hole. But Woakes has done brilliantly so far this season, so we are lucky in that aspect."
Stokes is yet to finish a Test match this season having previously been ruled out since May with a knee injury.
