Harlequins prop Joe Marler will miss the start of the Premiership season because of a broken foot sustained during England’s summer tour.
Marler was replaced after 17 minutes of England’s 16-15 loss to New Zealand on 6 July, the opening Test in a 2-0 series defeat.
The 34-year-old was wearing a protective boot on his left foot during Quins’ open training session on Wednesday and head coach Danny Wilson says the veteran prop will be unavailable until October.
“It’s going to be a 12-14 week injury, it’s not a 12-weeker where he can come back in nine. It’s an injury that will take that amount of time,” Wilson said.
“That at the moment hasn’t changed, but I need to get to the bottom of it from today’s assessment because he’s had a bit more assessment today.”
Quins begin their Premiership campaign away at Sale Sharks on 22 September.
England head coach Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, is set to name his training squad in October.
Borthwick’s side begin their autumn schedule against the All Blacks on 2 November, which could leave Marler little time to prove his fitness.