Christian Wade faces up to six months on the sidelines following an injury to his foot.
The London Wasps flyer sustained the injury in last weekend’s 19-12 win at London Irish and will have surgery to repair significant ligament damage to his mid-foot area.
In Wade’s absence, Wasps‘ wing options have been boosted by the return to full fitness of Tom Varndell who is likely to be available for selection within two weeks.
London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “It is devastating news for both the player and the Club. Christian was hugely unlucky to miss out on being capped this Autumn with England and he had hoped to push on and put in some good performances for Wasps to get him in contention for Six Nations selection. It is a huge blow for him but he is a young player with a huge future and his time will come around again.”