Wasps centre Stuart Abbott could miss England's first two Six Nations matches with an ankle injury. Abbott, a member of England's World Cup-winning squad, was hurt in Wasps' Heineken Cup victory over Italy's Calvisano on Sunday.
He could be out of England's trip to Italy on 15 February and the visit of Scotland on 21 February.
"My main focus at the moment is to get my ankle healed. The injury will keep me out longer than expected," he said.
Abbott has only just returned from a month-long lay-off on the same ankle he injured against the New Zealand Barbarians before Christmas.
"I'm hoping to return to action for our Powergen Cup game against the Pertemps Bees on 29 February," he said.
"I'm very disappointed and frustrated at not being able to play but these things happen."
There are now 10 of England's World Cup squad on the sidelines as coach Sir Clive Woodward prepares to draw up a training squad this week.
MMIX
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