Batsman Marlon Samuels has been forced out of the World Cup with a knee injury, the West Indies Cricket Board said on Sunday.

All-rounder Ryan Hinds will replace Samuels after a scan on the latter's left knee showed it would probably not stand up to the rigours of the tournament, the WICB said in a statement.

"While indicating that there was a possibility that Samuels could participate in the World Cup by protecting his knee in training, and doing only gentle exercises, it must be clear that he may break down at any time," the statement said, quoting a report from the board's medical panel.

The report also recommended Samuels undergo surgery on the knee. The 22-year-old had an operation on the same knee last February, which kept him out of cricket for several months.

"We are disappointed at this turn of events and realise how much more disappointed Marlon himself must be," selection committee chairman Viv Richards said in the statement.

"But we believe that our decision to replace him for the World Cup is best both for the team at this time and, more importantly, in the interest of Marlon's future career."

The West Indies squad leaves for the tournament on Tuesday and play South Africa in the opening game in Cape Town on February 9.