Greenwood joins Tindall in sickbay

NEC Harlequins star Will Greenwood has joined his England midfield colleague Mike Tindall in facing a race against time to make the world champions' RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Wales.

The veteran centre, capped 55 times, underwent a shoulder operation on Wednesday.

"Will underwent a scope on a long-standing shoulder problem yesterday, and although we are still waiting to hear from the consultant on how the operation went, he will clearly be out for a minimum of four weeks, maybe longer, depending on the results," said Quins team manager Mike Scott.

The anticipated minimum lay-off would sideline Greenwood until January 20, and given that Quins are already out of the Powergen Cup - January 22/23 is quarter-final weekend - he would then have only one scheduled game to prove his fitness before the February 5 Wales clash.

Greenwood has struggled for form this season, and was on the bench throughout England's autumn series of Tests against Canada, South Africa and Australia.

But the 32-year-old boasts an outstanding try-scoring record against Wales, and England head coach Andy Robinson might have been tempted to start with him at the Millennium Stadium.

Tindall, meanwhile, is battling to overcome a foot injury that early forecasts suggested would not heal in time for the Cardiff showdown.

And with Gloucester centre Henry Paul facing an uncertain international future following his humiliating 26th-minute substitution during the November defeat against Australia, Robinson might have to field a new midfield combination.

It is understood that he is considering World Cup fly-half Jonny Wilkinson for an inside centre role in Cardiff, leaving Wasps' Stuart Abbott, Leicester prospect Ollie Smith and Newcastle's Jamie Noon as leading contenders for the number 13 jersey in Tindall's possible absence.

One rabbit out of the hat though, would be to switch Jason Robinson from full-back to centre, where he started last season's Six Nations campaign.