Vaughan misses Ashes

Michael Vaughan will return early next year © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan has been ruled out of the forthcoming Ashes Test series in Australia following the knee operation he underwent on Monday.

Michael underwent arthroscopic surgery, during which the surgeon carried out micro-fracturing to a worn joint surface within the knee.

Following the operation, the specialist advises that rehabilitation must be taken slowly in order to give the surgery the best chance of success.

As a consequence, Vaughan has been ruled out of the Ashes Test Series and will be targeting a return to cricket early in 2007 with a view to being available for selection for the World Cup.