England [Images] spinner Ashley Giles will miss the start of England's tour of India because of a hip injury and is replaced by all rounder Ian Blackwell.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement on Tuesday they hoped Giles could play some part in the three-Test tour starting on Sunday and ending in mid-April.

"We are disappointed to lose a player of Ashley's calibre but we wish him well with his recovery and remain hopeful that he will be able to play some part in the tour," chairman of selectors David Graveney said.

"Ian Blackwell is a talented player who performed well in the one-day series in Pakistan and this is a terrific opportunity for him to show that he can fulfill his potential against top class opposition."

The ECB's chief medical officer, Peter Gregory, said: "The operation Ashley required was more extensive than we originally anticipated which is why we are taking his rehabilitation steadily.