Sackey available despite mumps scare but Richards out of England's Six Nations Squad

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The winger was withdrawn from Wasps' Heineken Cup clash against Munster last Saturday after showing the first symptoms of the disease.

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Sackey was flown home immediately and placed in quarantine as mumps is highly infectious.

Meanwhile, Peter Richards has withdrawn from England's Six Nations Squad after undergoing a bicep operation after injuring his arm in London Irish's clash with Treviso at the weekend.

Ashton said: "It's incredibly sad for him and a real disappointment for us because he has been playing at the top of his game."

No replacement has been named but the favourite to join the squad is Richard's uncapped Exiles team-mate Paul Hodgson.

Ashton has ordered his 32-man squad to undergo blood tests with the curtain-raiser against Wales just 10 days away.

Ashton is taking no chances with Sackey's Wasps team-mates Danny Cipriani, Tom Rees, Joe Worsley, James Haskell and Simon Shaw in the squad.

Ashton has been boosted by the news that second-row Simon Shaw is making a 'remarkable' recovery from an ankle injury.

The giant lock's participation in the RBS Six Nations, which starts in little over a week, was thought to be in major doubt after he sustained an injury in Saturday's Heineken Cup defeat to Munster.

Shaw was carried from the field when he landed awkwardly while making a tackle at the lineout, although scans later revealed soft tissue damage, rather than a break.

While Wasps have refused to speculate on when he might return to action, in a statement issued today they offered Ashton hope that he may at least be able to play some role in the tournament - which England begin with a Twickenham clash against Wales on February 2.

"Simon Shaw is recovering remarkably well from his ankle injury," the statement said.

"He is walking well without the assistance of crutches, and though it is too early to recommend a timescale for his return to playing, the signs are very encouraging.

"He will continue intensive rehab with the club throughout this week."