England could be without wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for the entire Six Nations as the Exeter star decides whether to undergo shoulder surgery.
The 22-year-old dislocated his shoulder in the defeat by Sale on 21 December, with Chiefs coach Rob Baxter warning at the time the injury was “not ideal for ourselves or for England”.
Baxter says the winger has surgery booked in for early next week, should he decide to undergo the procedure.
If Feyi-Waboso does have an operation he will miss all of the Six Nations, whereas if he opts not to have surgery, he could potentially participate in the final part of the tournament.
“It’s an ongoing process at the moment involving Manny, our medical team and the England medical team,” Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.
“The shoulder isn’t going to rehab for the full Six Nations campaign. England go off into camp in not very long.
“He’s barely started his rehab process really as the to-ing and fro-ing over whether he has his rehab is slowing both options down – it’s slowing the operation process and the rehab process.
“The big thing at the minute is the decision will be made. It can go one way or the other and that will give him a clear reference point for what he is aiming for. Is it the end of the England Six Nations campaign? Or is it post-Six Nations, getting ready for a big end to the season that will help him drive his claim for the Lions if that’s a possibility?”