PAUL DEACON has had to pull out of England's World Cup squad.

The Bradford Bulls scrum-half was today told he needs an operation on a knee cartilage problem.

The 29-year-old said: "I can't believe it.

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"Last year I had to pull out of the Great Britain squad because of a hamstring. It's been a year of bad luck for me.

"I've got the scan result and it shows I've got some cartilage damage and a partial tear in my cruciate ligament.

"It should only take up to six weeks after the operation but it's the worst possible time for the World Cup."

Deacon was named in Tony Smith's train-on squad on Tuesday, raising hopes of winning his first cap since 2005.

Deacon's last international game was in the Tri-Nations three years ago when he suffered an horrific facial injury that was initially potentially life-threatening.