England gloveman Jos Buttler is set to fly home to the UK after suffering a broken finger during the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney.

Buttler was a notable absence from the touring party's fielding cohort throughout the Test, with makeshift wicketkeeper Ollie Pope pulling on the gloves in his place.

The out-of-form keeper endured a difficult summer in Australia, failing to score past 40 with the bat to average 15.28 from eight innings, while also amassing a number of costly errors behind the stumps.

Now, Buttler will return to England as he looks to gain further assessment on his finger, with the ECB confirming on Sunday that the 31-year-old will be replaced in the Test lineup.

"Jos Buttler is going to be going home, it's quite a bad injury," England captain Joe Root said, per ESPN.

"It's a real disappointing shame for him and for the team. But it's part and parcel of playing Test cricket. Sometimes you've got to take these things, but the way he stood up throughout the rest of the game, having taken that, and put in for the boys is a testament to his character and how much he cares about playing for this team."

With second-string keeper Jonny Bairstow also under an injury cloud, England could look toward uncapped white-ball specialist Sam Billings for Friday's fifth and final Test in Hobart.

Billings has spent his summer down under with bIg Bash outfit the Sydney Thunder, and was set to return home to England before gaining a call-up to the visitor's squad.

Having not made his international Test debut for his nation, Billings' potential selection is a stunning turnaround for the Kent product.

Billings, along with Buttler, is set to be a key feature for England ahead of their IT20 tour of the West Indies later this month.