England lock Maro Itoje may have to put his Guinness Six Nations comeback on hold after he limped out of training at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old has been out of action since suffering ligament damage to his right knee in England’s Round One victory over defending champions Ireland in Dublin.
He was expected to make his Red Rose return on Saturday when Italy will visit Twickenham, but the latest injury scare for the British and Irish Lions star has put that in doubt.
Fellow lock Courtney Lawes was also ruled out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations after sustaining a calf strain in England’s defeat to Wales in Round Three.
That means that Charlie Ewels has been called up by Jones as cover in preparation for the Azzurri clash.
Ollie Thorley could be in line for a potential debut this week with Jack Nowell also an injury worry for the Red Rose.
Elsewhere, Eddie Jones has retained the experience of Dan Cole at the expense of Harry Williams for the Italy clash.
While Chris Robshaw and Jonathan Joseph have both been released back to their clubs for Gallagher Premiership action this weekend.
England squad Forwards Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers) Jamie George (Saracens) Nathan Hughes (Wasps) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs) Brad Shields (Wasps) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) Backs Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Owen Farrell (Saracens) captain George Ford (Leicester Tigers) Jonny May (Leicester Tigers) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) Dan Robson (Wasps) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby) Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
