Vickery sidelined with facial fracture

Lions and England prop Phil Vickery has suffered another injury blow after scans revealed he has a blow-out fracture around the eye area, ruling the Gloucester stalwart out for six weeks.

The 28 year-old, only just making his way back from a long term back injury, took a big knock to the head during last Friday's Zurich Premiership clash at home against Wasps and came off shortly before half time.

The blow-out fracture requires surgery and Vickery will be looking at the New Year for a return to first team action.

Vickery was on his way back to form after missing six months following back surgery in May. The tight-head prop had a couple of replacement appearances for Gloucester against Harlequins and Worcester in October, before starting the last four games.

Gloucester's Director of rugby Nigel Melville's squad was further depleted when England Intermediate Academy member Will Matthews was taken to hospital with an infected hand.

The 19 year-old back-row player is receiving antibiotic treatment in hospital for a day or two, and will miss the next week of training.

These two further set-backs mean Melville and coach Dean Ryan are now missing 12 squad members through injury and international call-ups for this Sunday's game away at Saracens.

The other 10 players missing are Olivier Azam (shoulder), James Simpson-Daniel (hamstring), Duncan McRae (neck), Terry Sigley (neck), Alex Brown (arm), James Merriman (knee) and Olly Morgan (wrist). Andy Hazell, Henry Paul and Andy Gomarsall are all with England.