IRELAND suffered a fresh blow yesterday ahead of their crucial World Cup warm-up tour Down Under.

The Irish Daily Star revealed on Monday that Max Sorensen was out of the trip, and yesterday Phil Simmons revealed that he could be without his explosive opening bat Paul Stirling.

The Middlesex man has developed a back problem and has been referred to a specialist.

"Paul Stirling missed Middlesex's match at Somerset this week with a back injury which hasn't responded to treatment as well as he'd like", said Cricket Ireland head coach Phil Simmons.

"We'll know more about his prognosis when he sees the specialist, but felt it best that he recuperates in the UK before making a final decision on his involvement on the tour."

It was also confirmed that Sorensen's wrist injury would rule him out of the whole trip. The paceman had hoped to play some part in the eight-match tour.

A scan has revealed a fracture in his right wrist which will keep him out of action for 6-8 weeks.

Gloucestershire seamer Graeme McCarter replaces Sorensen in the squad, while Stirling's absence could open the door to Merrion's John Anderson.

"It's obviously bitterly disappointing for Max to miss out on the tour which is so vital to our World Cup preparations, but it gives Graeme a great chance to impress after he just missed out on the initial selection," added Simmons.