Neither Kevin Pietersen nor Andrew Flintoff will be available for England's ICC Champions Trophy campaign, but their shadows still loomed large as the team prepared for Friday's opening game against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.
Coach Andy Flower has admitted that Pietersen - who is recovering from infected scar tissue following surgery on his Achilles tendon in July - is a huge doubt for England's winter tour of South Africa.
And the Zimbabwean also hinted that Flintoff would be cast out of the England one-day fold if he rejects the chance to play for his country in favour of taking part in Twenty20 franchise cricket, following his decision to turn down an increment contract with the ECB.
Pietersen's recuperation has been slowed by the infection, and Flower admitted: "We're still taking it day by day. We're not sure whether he'll be fit or not. It's more touch-and-go than I would have hoped.
"The problem is the infection he got initially, and then the subsequent lack of healing. He had quite a horrible wound after the infection took hold.
"It's possible we might not even be able to name him in the squad for South Africa."
The likeliest scenario is that Pietersen will be named in the party - especially as the first Test does not begin until 16 December - but miss the Twenty20 and five one-dayers which precede the Tests.
As for Flintoff, meanwhile, Flower will "take him on his word" that he will make playing limited-overs cricket for England. Yet it appears the all-rounder will be given short shrift if he opts out of England duty at any stage.
Flower added: "He would have to fit into the team agreements that we have. If he makes himself unavailable at any stage, it would be another issue."
