Ben Stokes' return to action will not come at the Indian Premier League later this month and it remains doubtful whether he will take part in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
The 30-year-old will not be fulfilling the remainder of his £1.4million contract with Rajasthan Royals when the IPL, which was postponed earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resumes in the United Arab Emirates from September 19.
Whether he does travel to Dubai to feature in England's attempts to unite both global white-ball belts next month is unclear, although sources close to Stokes say 'he is not even thinking about cricket at the moment'.