England's depleted midfield a concern
England coach Stuart Lancaster is holding out faint hope that Brad Barritt and Geoff Parling will be available for the start of the Six Nations, as an injury crisis threatens to derail their campaign before it even started.
It is in midfield where the English have been hit particularly hard.
Barritt has joined a growing midfield injury list that already features Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell and Luther Burrell.
Farrell has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a knee ligament injury, while Barritt and Burrell now look long shots for the opening match of the tournament - against Wales in Cardiff on February 6.
In a statement on Wednesday Lancaster said Barritt and Parling will continue to be treated for knee medial ligament strains and did not train.
"Brad and Geoff are making encouraging progress and should be available, selection permitting, to play a significant part in the Six Nations," Lancaster said.
"We expect them back sooner rather than later, but the clock is ticking," Lancaster added.
"We'll know more on Kyle and Tom later in the week when they have had further assessments."
Burrell is progressing through the concussion return to play protocols and is on course to train fully in Friday's full contact session at Pennyhill Park, Lancaster confirmed at the Six Nations launch in south west London.
"I don't want to commit on Tom and Kyle because it very much rests on what the specialists say. Tom's made good progress and with Kyle we'll have to wait and see," the coach added.
"At the moment Luther is ticking the boxes on the return to play and is on course to train on Friday."
Lancaster stated that all players must prove their fitness in time to take part in training on Sunday and Monday with the team announced on Wednesday next week.
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