Ashes 2015: 5 Possible Replacements for England's James Anderson

England's triumphant win over Australia at Edgbaston, which put them 2-1 up in the 2015 Ashes, came with one dark cloud—namely the injury to their premium bowler Jimmy Anderson.

And with the news that the Lancastrian is definitely out of next week's Test at Trent Bridge, per his interview with Jonathan Agnew of BBC Radio 5 Live (via BBC Sport), Alastair Cook's men will have to field an unfamiliar-looking bowling lineup.

While Mark Wood, who played at Cardiff and Lord's, could be recalled, are there any other bowlers around who would be better at exploiting the expected Nottingham conditions and the Baggy Green's troubles with the moving ball?

Here, ranked in ascending likelihood of being selected for the fourth Test, are the role's current top five candidates.

Please note, given the slim chances of England selecting two spinners, Adil Rashid and his fellow slow bowlers have been ignored for this exercise.

Tests: 0

Wickets: N/A

Average: N/A

Bio

Despite being unknown to many cricket fans, Durham's Chris Rushworth has been the most successful bowler on the English county circuit for the last couple of years. This renaissance has come after being released by the team in 2006.

After bouncing back with aplomb, this season alone, the 29-year-old has collected 64 Division One scalps and is an expert at exploiting traditional English conditions to maximum effect.

Strengths

Quite simply, Rushworth bowls a classic off-stump line, bringing the three classic methods of dismissal into play as often as possible with his highly skilful seam control.

Weaknesses 

As well as lacking the pace, which is often demanded at international level, throwing the seamer into the Ashes cauldron, with little-to-no experience of the England setup or Test match stage, would be a huge risk.

Tests: 13

Wickets: 41

Average: 37.46

Bio

Yorkshire's Liam Plunkett was a left-field pick for England last summer but bowled with hostility and express pace against India and Sri Lanka to help herald a new era for Alastair Cook's men.

Since then, a succession of injuries have impacted the 30-year-old's playing time, and he has since been superseded by some of his peers.

Strengths

Plunkett is an unknown prospect for the majority of the Aussie lineup and would bring added aggressiveness as well as pace to the side. Additionally, he could be a useful lower-order hitter capable of late flurries.

Weaknesses 

A lack of noteworthy domestic form makes it difficult to see the advantages of picking him over the similarly styled but significantly younger Mark Wood.

Tests: 0

Wickets: N/A

Average: N/A

Bio

The cricketing world has gone crazy for left-arm seamers and, along with bowling in this sought-after style, Mark Footitt delivers his missiles at express pace.

This speed brought him 84 wickets at 19.19 in 2014, putting the Derbyshire man on England's radar, culminating in a trip to Spain as part of their pre-Ashes bonding jolly.

Strengths

As well as his express velocity, Footitt has learned how to swing the ball and will be a real handful on typical English wickets, especially to Australia's left-handers.

Weaknesses 

Has played most of his career in the County Championship's second division, which is undoubtedly weaker than the top flight, and, at the age of 29, is no spring chicken.

Tests: 4

Wickets: 6

Average: 52.16

Bio

Chris Woakes boasts bags of potential and has been in and out of England's squads over the last couple of years without fully cementing a place in any format.

However, since beginning his career as a bowler who could bat a little, the 26-year-old has claimed 354 first-class wickets and has improved rapidly with the bat, as evidenced by an average of over 37.

Strengths

Woakes is similar to Anderson in terms of modus operandi, delivering a probing, pitched-up line with a touch of out-swing. His skills with the bat would also strengthen the batting lineup.

Weaknesses 

He has only recently been injured, and a Test recall, plunging him into the middle of the Ashes, may be a bridge too far. Additionally, he is yet to produce a significant performance that says he truly belongs at this level.

Tests: 4

Wickets: 14

Average: 39.21

Bio

Having played and endured the roller-coaster ride of the opening couple of Ashes Tests, Mark Wood was rested at Edgbaston but remains the next cab off the rank.

The 25-year-old has effortlessly slotted into Test cricket and has been a breath of fresh air, as his express pace has proved a handful for some of the world's leading batsmen.

However, the Durham man is far from a like-for-like replacement for Jimmy Anderson's more skill-based approach.

Strengths

Wood's brief Test career suggests he has a lengthy run in the England side ahead of him. What's more, he possesses an exceptional record at Trent Bridge where he has taken 15 wickets in three first-class fixtures.

Weaknesses

He can be expensive when things aren't going his way and was worryingly ineffective at Lord's where he finished with match figures of one for 131.