England levelled the four-Test series against Pakistan 1-1 after winning the second match at Old Trafford by 330 runs on Monday.
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The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Stokes will go for the scan after the pivotal all-rounder pulled up mid-over on the fourth afternoon against Pakistan in the second Test.
A torn calf muscle could be mean as many six weeks out for Stokes whose importance to the balance of the English side was all too evident in the first Test where the hosts missed his all-round abilities in the 75-run defeat.
It is the third injury Stokes has sustained in nine months and he has not managed to get through a full Test match this summer.
Seamer Jake Ball has been included in the 13-man squad alongside fast bowler Steven Finn and leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
The all-rounder limped out of England’s attack as they closed in on their series-levelling victory over Pakistan at Old Trafford on Monday.
Cook had the opportunity to put Pakistan back in again once England bowled the tourists out for just 198.
The only other issue facing the selectors is the lack of productivity in the middle order below Joe Root and Cook – specifically from James Vince, who has yet to make a half-century in seven attempts so far in his maiden summer.
Moeen Ali’s all-round contribution has also come under scrutiny, although he picked up five wickets in the second Test, his best returns since being named Man of the Match in England’s win in Durban before Christmas.
The third Test will be played at Edgbaston on August 3. This was England’s fifth-biggest Test win in terms of runs.
“We came into this game under real pressure but the guys showed they had learnt from the experience at Lord’s”, added Cook.
Arthur added: “It probably gives us a bit better chance but irrespective of when Alastair made a decision to declare, we’re still going to have to bat damned well”.
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The sight of a grimacing Stokes slowly walking off the field in Manchester suggested that, at the very least, the Durham star would struggle to be fit for the third Test at Birmingham s Edgbaston ground which gets underway a week on Wednesday.
