Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings says Emile Heskey won't be fit for England's final Euro2008 qualifier against Croatia.
Heskey, 29, is back in training after recovering from a broken metatarsal.
But under-fire Three Lions chief Steve McClaren has been told there is no chance of him returning before the end of next month.
Hutchings said: "I wouldn't have thought he has a chance for England, he wouldn't be close to being fit.
"I appreciate it is a problem but the game falls when he will be stepping up his work."