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The England selectors will name a World Cup replacement today for Mike Atherton. The former England captain was forced to pull out of the World Cup party of 15 yesterday with yet another recurrence of his back trouble and even if he is not obliged to retire some three seasons before he had planned, his days as an international cricketer are now almost certainly at an end.

The selectors - David Graveney, Mike Gatting and Graham Gooch discussed possible replacements before Graveney left as manager of the team to Lahore and Sharjah, where England will play in a triangular tournament with India and Pakistan next week. The choice is likely to rest between Nasser Hussain and Mark Ramprakash, either of whom will be flown out as soon as possible.

The extra batsman must be named in time for the deadline for final World Cup parties tonight. Hussain, Essex's captain, played some good innings for the one-day team in the latter part of the Australian tour and he is one of the finest all-round fielders in the country.

In that respect either he or Ramprakash, illogically left out of one-day consideration in Australia, would strengthen an area wherein England look relatively weak. Atherton was a marginal choice in the first place, though his record as a one-day player in England, especially in internationals played in the early part of the season when the new ball tends to move around, is excellent.

If Hussain or Ramprakash is named today, as opposed to another specialist opener like Mark Butcher or Darren Maddy, England would presumably revert to the opening pair of Alec Stewart and Nick Knight, used for all but one of the internationals in Australia.

Vince Wells, already in the 15, remains a viable alternative. He is used to opening the batting in England and to getting a move on in the first 15 overs of an innings.

Atherton had to admit that he was not fit in Lahore yesterday when back pain from his chronic spondylitis flared up once more after two lengthy air journeys. He had started Lancashire's pre-season tour to Cape Town before joining the England 15 in London and embarked almost immediately on a 16-hour journey to Lahore, via Dubai and Karachi. It is ironic that his World Cup programme would have required no more than a few motorway journeys.

This is no more than a minor setback for England's World Cup plans, and it is fortunate in a way that it has occurred before the competition starts, though it will be possible for players to be replaced after today's deadline if they become ill or injured.

For Atherton himself it could be a personal disaster. One of the staunchest batsmen ever to strap on pads for England, he has missed three of the last eight Tests after a long unbroken run in the team. He was often in pain during his record 52 Tests as captain.

He was as eager as a spring lamb to play in the World Cup and he will play on if he possibly can, even if it is only for Lancashire. The chairman of selectors, however, chose his words carefully when speculating on Atherton's future yesterday.

Graveney said: ``His desire to play for England is as strong as it's ever been and he feels he still has a lot to offer, but, as selectors, we will need to be convinced over a long period that he's pain free, injury free and performing for Lancashire.''

A crestfallen Atherton said: ``I believe I'll get fit and play again.'' England's physiotherapist, Wayne Morton, estimated, however, that it could be two months before he would be able to play first-class cricket.

It is more likely than not that the selectors will open the batting against New Zealand this summer with Stewart and Mark Butcher. With Hick, Thorpe, Hussain and Ramprakash established in the Test side, and Mal Loye probably the next in line, the time has, sadly but undoubtedly, come for Atherton.