It is a bit of everything, ankle and shoulder, we are trying to look after him, said skipper Alastair Cook as he talked about James Anderson missing the fifth Test against India. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: Beleaguered England were dealt a blow on Thursday with pace spearhead James Anderson being ruled out of the fifth and final cricket Test against hosts India starting on Friday.

Anderson, England's all-time highest wicket-taker in Tests, will miss the inconsequential game owing to "body soreness", according to skipper Alastair Cook.

The pacer had been out since August with a shoulder injury before returning to play the second Test of the five-match series in India.

"Unfortunately Jimmy is ruled out - he's picked up body soreness from the last game. So he's not going to be risked. It is a bit of everything, ankle and shoulder. We are trying to look after him," said captain Cook at the pre-match press conference.

A decision on Stuart Broad will be taken after practice on Thursday. Broad missed the last two Tests with a tendon strain in his right foot, but will look to prove his fitness during England's final training session.

India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with an innings victory in the fourth Test in Mumbai.