Again row Tom Curry will miss England’s first two Six Nations video games after struggling a hamstring tear in Sale’s win over Harlequins on Sunday.
Curry, who has 45 caps and captained England for the primary time in final season’s Six Nations, will miss the matches in opposition to Scotland and Italy.
“It isn’t as unhealthy as we thought,” Sale boss Alex Sanderson mentioned.
“A 3c [hamstring tear] would have been six to eight weeks [out], and he would have been seeking to play on the again finish of the Six Nations.
“With it being a 2c and Tom being very diligent on his rehab, it means he may very well be again [to face] Wales.”
Along with lacking England’s first two video games, Curry may even miss Sale’s Champions Cup ties in opposition to Toulouse and Ulster.
England are already with out Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie for the beginning of the Six Nations after he suffered an ankle harm.
Steve Borthwick will start his reign as England boss in opposition to Scotland at Twickenham on 4 February, with the go to of Italy coming eight days later.