Sanderson (right) has had neck problems before

Sale Sharks forward Alex Sanderson has been ruled out of England's summer tour after having a neck operation.

Sale have sidelined Sanderson, who underwent surgery this week, for England's trip to Australia and New Zealand in June.

And the 23-year-old will also sit out Sharks' remaining three Zurich Premiership games and potential play-off fixtures.

But club coach Jim Mallinder played down the long-term implications of Sanderson's operation.

"This was nothing like the previous procedure on his neck that kept him sidelined for a long time.

"But this was something that needed to be done, and it was better to do it now rather than wait."

Sanderson made his Test debut against Romania in 2001, and won further international honours when England beat Argentina last summer.

He would have been in strong contention for the senior trip Down Under, but was also being lined up as a possible captain on the shadow England tour to Canada.