England fly-half Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the third Test against New Zealand with a knee injury.

Farrell, 22, has suffered a strain to the medial ligament in his left knee, which means he will miss Saturday's final game in Hamilton.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: "The knee has been scanned. It's disappointing for Owen as he was desperate to play in the final Test."

New Zealand hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

The All Blacks claimed a 28-27 victory in last week's second Test to seal the series win after a narrow 20-15 success in the first game.

Farrell will stay with the squad for the remainder of the tour before returning to his club Saracens for further assessment and treatment.

Lancaster added: "Such is his character that he is already working on his rehab and still contributing to the tour.

"Fortunately, we have three other fly-halves and we'll make that selection call over the next few days."

However, Lancaster said scrum-half Danny Care missed training earlier on Tuesday and is rated 50-50 "at best" for Saturday's final Test, though centres Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell will be available for selection.

An England XV are playing against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Tuesday.

(BBC)