Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill is certain Manu Tuilagi will be fit in time for the RBS 6 Nations despite admitting the centre could be sidelined for months.
The 22-year-old, who featured for the British & Irish Lions during the historic series win in Australia this summer, suffered a chest injury in the victory over Newcastle Falcons last weekend.
Tuilagi was making his first appearance of the season for the Tigers after taking time to recuperate from his time Down Under.
Cockerill believes the injury will certainly rule the centre out of England’s autumn internationals but expects him to be back in a Red Rose shirt come the Six Nations.
“It is weeks leading into months rather than days,” said Cockerill.
“It is very frustrating for him, and us, having had an enforced lay-off after the Lions tour. He was back raring to go and you could see that from the form he was in last weekend.
“We will probably get him fit and then he will go and play in the Six Nations.”