Sam Billings suffered a dislocated shoulder on Thursday which threatens to rule the wicketkeeper-batsman out of England action next week.

Billings was left out of England’s preliminary 15-man squad for the World Cup but called up for the one-day international against Ireland in Dublin on May 3 as well as the one-off Twenty20 against Pakistan two days later.

However, the Kent captain’s involvement is in considerable doubt after he dislocated his left shoulder while diving to stop the ball in the opening stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup encounter against Glamorgan in Cardiff.

A statement on Kent’s official website said: “Kent’s captain Sam Billings suffered a dislocation of his left shoulder in the field during the first innings vs. Glamorgan.

“He has been to hospital where it was relocated and has returned to Sophia Gardens. He is scheduled to see a specialist tomorrow, where he will undergo scans.”

After his first appearance for Kent since returning from the Indian Premier League was cut short, Billings said on Twitter: “Not ideal but one of those things, worse things happen!

“More scans tomorrow to see the full extent of damage. Safe to say that was excruciating! Really appreciate all the msgs.”

Sam Billings has made 15 ODI appearances for England
Sam Billings has made 15 ODI appearances for England (Anthony Devlin/PA)

The 27-year-old’s injury could give England a headache ahead of their season-opening trip to Malahide next Friday, with the decision already taken to rest fellow glovemen Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow.

England also have a number of concerns among their World Cup party, with Billings’ Kent team-mate Joe Denly struck down by a back problem in his first match for the county following his IPL stint.

Opening batsman Jason Roy and bowling all-rounder Tom Curran missed Surrey’s One-Day Cup fixture against Middlesex on Thursday because of a back spasm and low-grade calf complaint respectively.

Alex Hales has not played for Nottinghamshire this season because of “personal reasons” though it has been reported he will link up with England for their pre-World Cup training camp this weekend.

The fitness of pace bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood may need managing in a hectic next few months because of long-standing injuries.

Woakes insisted earlier this month he has “turned a corner” following a couple of injections to his troublesome right knee but Wood has been conspicuous by his absence for Durham this season, heightening concerns over a left ankle that has been operated on three times.