Alex Corbisiero admits England will miss the presence of his "big hero" and fellow loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan after he was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury.

Sheridan had scans on his left shoulder after England's 13-9 victory over Argentina and surgeons in the UK, who studied the images, advised he should return home.

It will come as a bitter blow to the Sale prop, who had battled back from reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder to make England's World Cup squad.

England's management are waiting for tournament organisers to officially ratify Sheridan's departure before settling on a replacement.

"Sheri worked really hard over the summer to come back from injury and has put in two very good performances. It is very disappointing," Corbisiero said.

"I was aware he had a niggle form the weekend but I didn't realise the severity of it until I heard a couple of the boys talking about it.

"I just wish him all the best. He's a world-class player. He's a big hero of mine. I think the squad will miss him, but we've just got to get on with it now and go forward as a team."

Meanwhile, Irishmen Sean O'Brien, Rob Kearney and Cian Healy will return to Declan Kidney's side for the key World Cup group clash with Australia at Eden Park on Saturday.

Four changes have been made to the XV that secured an unconvincing 22-10 victory over the United States, with Eoin Reddan's selection ahead of Conor Murray completing the new arrivals.

"The players coming back will bring freshness to the team," said coach Declan Kidney. "If you play the same team week in, week out, it becomes difficult for everybody.

"I didn't think Sean, Rob or Healy were as fit as they needed to be to play against the USA last week so they got another week under their belts.

"They're raring to go and that brings its own impetus into the team."