Vickery is a cornerstone of the England pack

England prop Phil Vickery will have his back injury re-assessed next week in the hope he can return for the latter stages of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

The Gloucester captain missed England's opening victory over France and will also be absent when they take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Vickery was in severe pain after suffering a disc problem during a training session earlier this month, and also missed two club games.

He will see Bristol consultant Richard Nelson next Tuesday - just four days before Gloucester play Leicester in a Powergen Cup semi-final.

Director of rugby Nigel Melville is hoping Vickery will be passed fit for the Leicester date, although that may prove to be optimistic.

"It is improving and getting better slowly and I will be seeing Richard Nelson again on the 25th for re-assessment," said Vickery.

"All I can do is see what Mr Nelson says just to know where we are with it."