The Aston Villa forward was taken off England's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia on Saturday and his absence in midweek has become imminent.

Frontmen Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch were also injured during the warm-up, but the latter is expected to make the Ukraine tie.

England boss Fabio Capello has already recalled Darren Bent for Cole, but Heskey's replacement is yet to be announced.

Capello ruled out the option of recalling Newcastle's Michael Owen or Bolton's Kevin Davies for Heskey, who scored the opener against Solvakia.

"Owen played 20 minutes in his last game, it is not enough, and it would not be Kevin Davies either," said the Italian manager.