Former England captain Phil Vickery is set to miss this year's Six Nations after being told it will be another eight weeks before he can resume training following neck surgery last year.
The 33-year-old Lions prop forward is therefore unlikely to be named in the England Six Nations squad due to be announced by team manager Martin Johnson on Wednesday.
England are also set to be without Andrew Sheridan, who is not due back until late February following a dislocated shoulder.
England begin their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 6 and conclude it against France in Paris on March 20.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
