Injured Vickery not expected to be fit for Six Nations series

The 33-year-old former England captain is recovering from neck surgery after experiencing discomfort during Wasps' Amlin European Challenge Cup tie against French club Racing-Metro in October.

Initial estimations were for a lay-off of around three months, but Wasps' latest fitness bulletin paints a bleaker picture.

Although Wasps say the British and Irish Lions prop is "recovering well" and continuing with his rehabilitation programme, they also predict it will be another minimum eight-week period before he returns to training.

England launch their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Twickenham on February 6, and complete the tournament by tackling France in Paris on March 20.

England manager Martin Johnson is due to name his latest elite player squad next Wednesday, and Vickery's target now looks like being the summer tour of Australia that features two Tests against the Wallabies.

Vickery's fellow Lion and prop Andrew Sheridan, meanwhile, is currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder that sidelined him for the autumn Tests, but he is not expected back until late February.

There is some better news about Wasps and England flanker Joe Worsley though, who should be back in full training early next month after suffering a knee ligament problem.

But Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson, whose blistering form had seen him earmarked as a candidate for Johnson's squad, faces three months sidelined.

Former England Under-20 star Simpson dislocated his left shoulder in Wasps' Premiership clash against Harlequins at Twickenham 12 days ago, and subsequently underwent surgery.

Jonny Wilkinson, meanwhile, looks set to sign for a second season with Toulon.

The World Cup-winning fly-half moved to the Top 14 club from Newcastle last summer and has since returned to the England elite squad.

His agent Tim Buttimore is hopeful a new deal with the French outfit will be agreed within the next few weeks.

"Talks are progressing well," Buttimore said. "He is really enjoying life out there."