England have been handed a shock injury scare to captain Paul Collingwood as they attempt to seal their first one-day series win on the sub-continent for 20 years.

The Durham all-rounder hurt his right shoulder attempting a return catch off rival captain Mahela Jayawardene in the opening defeat in Dambulla last Monday.

He was believed to have shrugged off the injury and played a full part with bat and ball during England's back-to-back victories over the last week, which has put them 2-1 ahead in the series with two matches to play in Colombo.

But Collingwood is still suffering discomfort and has undertaken a scan to determine the extent of the damage and England should learn the outcome of those tests today.

Collingwood's tests are regarded as precautionary and may have been prompted by England returning to Colombo and a closer proximity to medical facilities than during their stay in Dambulla.

It is a distraction the tourists could do without, however, as they prepare for two games which could result in a memorable series triumph, which would be their first on the sub-continent since winning in Pakistan in 1986-7.

''In our team meetings it's popped up a couple of times that we could be the first side to win on the sub-continent for 20 years,'' admitted seamer Stuart Broad, whose unbeaten 20 last night edged England to an eight-wicket triumph.

''Sri Lanka haven't lost at home for a long time and if we play well in these next two games we've won the series. If we get our basics right it doesn't matter where we play in the world, we can win.

''It's very exciting going into the next game knowing that if we get our games 100 per cent right, no matter what we'll do we'll come away with a series win.''

Broad's determined innings was the third time in his short career that his composure under pressure has helped to win tight games for England, following similar performances to beat West Indies in Barbados during the World Cup and India at Old Trafford this summer.

''Experience is crucial,'' he explained.

''I was quite lucky, because in only my sixth game I was in that position in Bridgetown - with an amazing atmosphere - and had an opportunity to win the game.

''I've been lucky that every time I've been in that position the run-rate hasn't been a problem, and we've been able to go at threes and fours and fives and win the game that way.

''Having been there before helps with the approach. Paul Nixon was instrumental in trying to look at things in 10s, because he's a great believer in little targets to get where you want to go.

''If I know I need four to reach my little target it's a lot easier than thinking we need 50 to win. Batting with him at Bridgetown was a big learning experience and then I took his cues and took them into my game.''

Broad does not appear to feel the pressure - and his words confirm that impression.

''I don't really see it as pressure, it's a chance to go out and go and win a game for England,'' he said.

''I enjoy batting and the challenge of it. I take very little steps; I go in 10s and whoever I'm batting with, we look at needing seven to reach 130 or five to get to 140. It makes your target really small and it doesn't seem such a long way away.''