11 Sep 2009

Flutey could miss November tests

7:26 am on 11 September 2009

The England rugby centre Riki Flutey fears a shoulder problem may rule him out of England's international series in November.

The New Zealander, who joined French club Brive this season from Wasps, will have exploratory surgery on Monday and could face a lengthy spell out.

The injury, first picked up in January, flared up on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this winter.

Flutey started all five of England's Six Nations matches this year.

Although also troubled by a knee injury whilst on Lions duty, Flutey recovered to make the starting line-up for the 28-9 win over the Springboks in the third Test.

But he has been restricted to making only one appearance for his new French club side and has been given leave to visit London-based specialist Andrew Wallace.

England play Australia at Twickenham on November 7th before taking on Argentina and New Zealand on the following two weekends.