Michael Vaughan believes England still have a "great chance" of retaining the Ashes in Australia despite the loss of opening batsman Marcus Trescothick.
He pulled out of the tour after the stress-related illness which has dogged him for much of the year resurfaced.
"I feel for Marcus. He's an experienced player but he has been struggling. It's important he gets away and sorts his problems out," Vaughan told the BBC.
"It's a big loss but we've certainly got a squad with a load of talent."
Trescothick's club, Somerset, are concerned about his future and director of cricket Brian Rose thinks if could take him a year to fully recover.
"I'm sure he will want to come back, but mental health is not easy to predict. He could be out for one month, two months or maybe a year," he commented.
Asked if Trescothick might return to play for England early next year, Rose, said: "In the short to medium term, it is probably difficult to envisage that.
"He needs to be with his friends and relations back here.
"When you do not have the calming influence of your loved ones, this can cause stress"
Trescothick skipped a one-day tournament in India to prepare for the Ashes tour and Rose had been optimistic about his prospects for the Ashes.
"His build-up for Australia was fantastic. He had been training with our boys here at Taunton and in the [England and Wales Cricket Board] nets at Loughborough and had made arrangements for his family to be out there.
"We have to be patient now, keep it in the family and keep him with his friends here."
Sports psychologist Dr Costas Karageorghis said the weight of public expectation could sometimes lead to stress-related illnesses.
He said: "When you do not have the calming influence of your loved ones, this can cause stress, self-doubt and self-analysis.
"This creates a melting pot of different emotions that are perpetuated by the tour situation."