SHAUN WANE says he is “very disappointed” to be without Victor Radley for the Ashes.

The loose-forward made himself unavailable after receiving a ten-match suspension from his club Sydney Roosters for being implicated in a drug investigation into a former team-mate.

While Radley is not facing any police charges, the Roosters ruled he had brought the club into disrepute in relation to “allegedly obtaining an illegal substance” and imposed their heaviest-ever ban.

He made his England debut during the 2022 World Cup, and has played nine times in all, featuring in two of last year’s three Tests against Samoa.

“I understand the Roosters’ point of view, I understand what’s going through Rads’ mind,” said Wane.

“I need 24 lads who are just bothered about playing and beating Australia. I don’t want anything peripheral bothering them. That would have always been on Rads’ mind so I couldn’t risk it.”

Wane has also hinted that fellow Australia-born players Billy Smith and AJ Brimson, who have both come out in favour of playing for England, are in his thoughts for the series.