England seamer Chris Tremlett is set for an operation to mend the injury that ruled him out of the ongoing Test series against Pakistan.

The unfortunate recipient of perennial back trouble, the tall fast bowler returned home from the United Arab Emirates before the second Test in Abu Dhabi last week, with medical specialists now describing his ailment as "chronic."

"Scans have revealed various issues with Chris' back - but we have to find out exactly what is causing the current problem," team physiotherapist Ben Langley told The Sun.

"He will see two specialists to get two opinions. The programme he followed after breaking down last summer has not worked, so he might have to go down the surgery route.

"If Chris does need an operation, we are hopeful he will be able to bowl again in the future. He is a very calm man, who has taken all his injury frustrations in his stride.

"He always does his rehab very diligently so he will certainly give himself the best chance of a full recovery."

The 30-year-old right-armer's injury is one of several to mar England's bowling ranks of late. Stuart Broad, since recovered, and Tim Bresnan and Stuart Meaker have all been sidelined in the past six months.