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• Steve Borthwick

Knee surgery could keep Bath captain Steve Borthwick out of England's autumn Tests.

It had originally been thought that Borthwick would be fit for last Saturday's game against Northampton Saints in the Guiness Premiership, however that was not the case.

Borthwick is currently on crutches whilst recovering from the surgery, which repaired a slight ligament tear.

The news will come as a blow to England's plans for next year's World Cup. Borthwick has been capped 27 times by England and started all of the RBS 6 Nations Championship games last season.

It now appears unlikely that Borthwick will feature in England's November 5 contest with New Zealand.

England also face Argentina and South Africa (twice) in the coming months and coach Andy Robinson will be keen to know if his star lock will be available.

Borthwick initially injured his knee playing for Bath against Leicester Tigers, a game they won 43-25.

Bath's acting head coach Steve Meehan revealed: "He (Borthwick) needs time from a recuperation point of view."

Meehan was not prepared to state a recovery date, however he added: "The first two weeks are quite important.

"After that period, when an examination will take place, we will have a fair idea of when to expect him back."