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Martin Johnson's injury crisis deepened today, with Phil Vickery ruled out of rugby for more than three months after being told he must have a fourth neck operation to save his career.
The former England captain is the 12th member of the 32-strong Elite Player Squad on the injury list, leaving Johnson with major problems for next month's Tests with Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. The team manager will name an amended squad on Monday and now has to find two new props following the loss of the London Wasps star, who will have surgery this week, and loose-head Andrew Sheridan, who is having an operation to reconstruct his damaged shoulder.
Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks said: “Once we knew the scan result it was a no-brainer and Phil is having the surgery. He is very positive about this and having come back from other neck operations, if anyone can do it then it will be Phil. It will be a minimum of three months out, that's the verdict at the moment and we are all gutted for him. England are now dealing with the kind of problems so many clubs face with injuries at the moment.”
As well as missing the Twickenham Tests, Vickery is unlikely to be fit for the Six Nations opener against Wales on 6 February.
Vickery, 33, moved to Wasps three years ago after Gloucester refused to give the World Cup winner a new contract following three neck operations.
Wasps were convinced Vickery could still play at a high level and the prop has had extensive rehabilitation to allow him to become a key man for club and country in recent seasons.
However, there will be major questions over his ability to continue playing a game that is taking an increasing toll on its leading players.
Vickery's club and international colleague, Simon Shaw, has completed another running session but will not be considered for the Australia match on 7 November.
A foot injury has kept the lock out of action since he helped the Lions win the Third Test against South Africa in July. Johnson has told Shaw he must be playing for Wasps before he can line up for England.
Shaw said: “I ran for the first time last week without any reaction. The England medical team have been monitoring me and I will see them again tomorrow.
“I have spoken to Martin Johnson about the injury and he agreed it was best for me to start playing at Wasps and then have a look at things again.”
