Scrum-half Ben Youngs could potentially miss England's vital November internationals through injury following surgery on his shoulder.
The 22-year-old was injured during England's second Test defeat to South Africa, and following surgery on the injury Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill believes that the player could be out for some time.
"Ben has had surgery and he is having holiday time at the minute, which is important," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.
"He will miss the first rounds of the Heineken Cup (October 12-14 and October 19-21), which is not ideal because you want your best players playing in the biggest games."
England's first autumn international against Fiji takes place on November 10 at Twickenham.
