James Foster looks set to missEngland's first two Tests against Sri Lanka after breaking his arm on Saturday.

Foster, 22, was batting in the nets at Chelmsford when he broke his left forearm.

"Foster has undergone an x-ray and the arm has been put in plaster," said ECB spokesman Andrew Walpole. "He is expected to be out for four weeks."

Foster was one of the 11 England players awarded a central contract despite a torrid time behind the stumps during the winter tours of India and New Zealand.

England captain Nasser Hussain recently indicated that he intended to stand by Foster, saying: "We have got to give him a go. He's the future."

However, Foster's injury will almost certainly open the door to an international recall for Alec Stewart, the man he replaced as England keeper.

It was Stewart's decision to opt out of the India tour that helped give Foster the chance to nail down an England spot.

England's first Test against Sri Lanka begins at Lord's on May 16, with the second Test starting at Edgbaston on May 30.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd