Monday, September 14, 2009

Flutey faces three-month lay-off

Riki Flutey
Flutey won the first of nine England caps against the Pacific Islanders

Brive centre Riki Flutey will almost certainly miss England's three international matches in November because of a shoulder injury.

Flutey had exploratory surgery on Monday and is expected to be out for up to three months.

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

"I can't go on the way I have been," said Flutey. "I can't go out and play at 80%. I need to get it sorted."

New Zealand-born Flutey started all five of England's Six Nations matches this year.

606: DEBATE

Although also troubled by a knee injury while on Lions duty, he 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 was given leave to visit London-based specialist Andrew Wallace.

England are also likely to be without London Irish full-back Delon Armitage, who has a dislocated shoulder, for the autumn internationals.

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

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