Dowson called up to offer cover for Moody

Northampton No 8 Phil Dowson has been called into the England squad as injury cover for Lewis Moody, who suffered a cut to the top of his head in Bath's 6-6 draw with Harlequins on Sunday.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Nov 2010, 10:31 BST

Updated 2nd Nov 2010, 10:31 BST

Moody, who was making his comeback from an eye injury at The Stoop, required 10 stitches to the wound but there were no concerns immediately after the match that he would be in any doubt to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Bath flanker captained England in their last three Tests and is widely expected to lead his country out against the All Blacks this weekend.

Coach Martin Johnson names his team at midday today.

Johnson does have concerns over Matt Banahan, who was pushing for a place on the bench to cover wing and outside centre but has reported back to England's training camp with a neck injury, prompting a call-up for Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel to come in as cover.

Wasps pair Joe Worsley and Dominic Waldouck, who were also released from England's training camp to play at the weekend, both returned to Pennyhill Park carrying injuries.

Worsley suffered a cut face during Wasps' victory at Leeds.

England Phil Dowson