England have suffered yet another injury concern ahead of the Autumn Series with the news that Dave Attwood could be out until November with a knock to the ribs.
The Bath lock had to leave the field after only five minutes against London Irish last Saturday with a knock to the ribs.
After a convincing tour to Argentina last summer with England and a good start to the season captaining the West Country side, Attwood was likely to be involved in the November internationals, competing with Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling for a starting spot.
This is the second injury Stuart Lancaster might have to deal with in as many weeks after the announcement that Manu Tuilagi will have to sit out the Tests with a torn pectoral muscle.
Bath coach Mike Ford said: “It’s tough to know at the moment how long he will be out until the injury settles down.
“He’s definitely out on Friday and may not play the week after that as well. We will have to see, but he should be okay for England.”