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Borthwick hopeful for autumn action

SteveBorthwickeye-PA
Steve Borthwick is expected to be available for England’s autumn international campaign after scans confirmed he had not suffered any major damage to his right eye.

Steve Borthwick is expected to be available for England’s autumn international campaign after scans confirmed he had not suffered any major damage to his right eye.

The England captain was admitted to Moorfields Eye Hospital on Sunday night after a kick to the face from Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam left him with “extreme swelling” and five stitches.

Borthwick underwent further scans yesterday which eased fears he had suffered a fractured eye socket and medics expect him to be sidelined for between two and four weeks.

England manager Martin Johnson will hope Borthwick keeps to that timeline with Australia due at Twickenham for the first autumn international on November 7, in just under six weeks’ time.