Tom Croft's England Rugby World Cup hopes are in jeopardy after Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill claimed he could be sidelined for six months.
Flanker Croft suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Tigers' victory over Newcastle Falcons earlier this month and subsequently missed part of the Six Nations.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 18 and Cockerill says Croft faces a race against time to be fit.
"He has had a bit of nerve damage as well," he told Radio Leicester.
"We hope it is as quick as possible but it's likely to be six months or so."
Croft, who has 40 England Test caps, has been hampered by neck and knee injuries over the past two seasons.
Cockerill added: "We just have to support the player and get him back on the field. It has been hugely disappointing for him and the club."