Pocock return put on ice

The Wallabies will be without star flank David Pocock and lock Kane Douglas in their clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The pair had scans on calf and knee complaints respectively, with the results last night confirming that both would have to miss the game.

Pocock had been scheduled to return to playing duties after last having appeared during the opening match of this year's Rugby Championship against the All Blacks. He has been sidelined since with a medial ligament injury.

Douglas, who has had a dramatic week after his mother Trish was hospitalised in London after becoming ill on her flight over from Australia last Friday, featured in last weekend's Test match against France at Paris.

While still in hospital in London, Trish Douglas is listed as being in a comfortable condition. She is being supported by her husband Chris and three sons, Kane, Luke and Jake.

Wallabies medical staff will re-assess the injuries to both Pocock and Douglas next week once the side has arrived in Italy ahead of the third match of their tour against the Azzurri in Florence.

Coach Robbie Deans' side will be desperate to bounce back from their demoralising defeat to France in Paris last week, but these latest injury setbacks will make things even tougher.

England will be full of confidence following their drubbing of Fiji and will fancy their chances of retaining their third straight Cook Cup victory over the Wallabies.