Wayne Rooney is out of England's squad for the friendly against South Africa in Durban on Thursday.
A medical today finally ended a controversy-packed seven days since David Moyes announced his teenage star had a knee injury.
The Everton striker will spend the next five days recuperating on Merseyside while his international jet off to meet Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on Wednesday and play Shakes Mashaba's side the following day.
Sven-Goran Eriksson hopes Rooney, 17, will be fit enough to join the rest of the squad on Friday for a six-day training camp in La Manga, Spain, ahead of the friendly with Serbia-Montenegro and the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia.
Moyes started the week staunchly opposed Rooney's participation in the fixture, saying: "Wayne definitely won't travel to South Africa and he is a doubt for the later matches as well."
But on Monday, Eriksson insisted he report to London today for his injury to be assessed.
And the importance placed on Rooney's fitness - or lack of - was emphasised by the fact both the medics and managers of England and Everton had a ringside seat for his failed fitness test today.
Rooney's examination was conducted in the presence of England's medical staff - which is headed by Dr Leif Sward and physio Gary Lewin - Everton physio Mick Rathbone and both Eriksson and Moyes.
An FA spokesman later confirmed: "Wayne Rooney has had to withdraw from England's squad for the game against South Africa.
"The England medical staff, together with Everton's physio, today assessed Wayne's knee injury in London and agreed the player should return to his club for treatment.
"It was agreed Wayne will remain with Everton for the remainder of the week with a view to joining the England squad for the trip to La Manga.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson and David Moyes were also present at the examination."
Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has pulled out of the squad for all three England fixtures, due to a neck problem.
The FA spokesman added: "Danny Murphy also reported to the England medics today where a neck injury was assessed.
"Unfortunately, Danny has had to withdraw from the full summer schedule. He has returned to his club for treatment."
Eriksson has yet to decide on whether to call up replacements for Rooney or Murphy, whose absence represents another blow as the Swede had already been forced to replace Newcastle's injured Kieron Dyer with West Ham's Joe Cole.
Arsenal's Ashley Cole and Southampton pair Wayne Bridge and James Beattie have already been excused from the Durban fixture due to yesterday's FA Cup final.
Combined with Rooney and Murphy's withdrawals today, Eriksson's 25-man squad has now been reduced to 20.