Denny Solomona is a major doubt for England's Argentina tour after suffering a foot injury in training.
Head coach Eddie Jones admitted England are "not hopeful" that Sale's prolific try-scoring wing will recover in time for next month's two-Test series against the Pumas. Solomona has struck 11 tries in 15 appearances at Sale since his switch from Castleford in December, and has qualified for England on residency.
"Denny Solomona has a mid-foot strain," England boss Jones said. "He is going to see a specialist on Monday so we will know definitely where he's up to. We expect to know on Monday. We're not hopeful. We believe it will be pretty doubtful he goes on tour.
"It is bad luck because he did really well in a couple of training sessions I saw him in. He's a nice boy; he has the potential to be a good player for us but these things happen. Unfortunately injuries are a part of rugby and it just creates an opportunity for someone else.
"We have Jonny May, Nathan Earle, we have the fox back in the squad, Marland Yarde, and Mike Haley. So when we get a final decision on Denny we will decide who is replacing him depending on what happens in other positions."
Solomona will miss at least England's non-cap international clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday due to his foot complaint. Harlequins' Danny Care is expected to return to training on Monday after a stomach muscle problem, while fellow scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth has won his first England call-up under Jones.
Wigglesworth has not featured for England since Rugby World Cup 2015, and Jones remained coy on his long-term international future despite now drafting in the 33-year-old.
Saracens' 18-16 Premiership semifinal defeat at Exeter on Saturday has freed Wigglesworth up for the England call, while stars from the Chiefs, Wasps and Northampton remain unavailable to face the Barbarians due to club duty.
Jones previously insisted "sometimes you can be a great player in a great side but not necessarily a great Test player" in defending overlooking a raft of Saracens' stars like Wigglesworth -- but now wants the 27-cap half-back to prove his worth.
"It's an opportunity to have a look at him and that's what the Barbarians game is for," said Jones of Wigglesworth. He's always been a good player and I think he's been playing a little bit better."
Asked if Wigglesworth can become a great Test player of the future, Jones continued: "Well he's got the ability to be a contributor to the England side at the moment, and that's what I'm looking at. It's definitely a chance for him to state his case."
Wigglesworth has proved integral to Saracens sealing back-to-back European Champions Cup triumphs, along with last term's Aviva Premiership title. The former Sale scrum-half has previously remained surplus to England requirements under Jones, but recently insisted he had harboured no thoughts of giving up on a recall.
Jones remained nonplussed at the notion of any player retiring from international rugby, however, in reacting to Wigglesworth's continued England ambitions.
Asked if Wigglesworth had shown character to keep pushing for a recall, Jones replied: "Well he's English isn't he? I just think that's normal mate. Isn't that normal? I thought it was normal if you are English and play club rugby that you want to play for England.
"Someone recently asked me how many players have knocked me back and it's only one player. I won't name him but you can work it out for yourself. He is playing in France."
Jones' playful comment could add extra spice to the Barbarians clash, if he is referring to Pau's former Toulon flanker Steffon Armitage.
The former Australia boss' refusal to name the player who had rejected the chance to play in his England set-up leaves three main suspects -- Armitage, Nick Abendanon and David Strettle. Armitage has been selected in the Barbarians squad and could well feature at Twickenham.
Jones' cute performance took another twist when asked to assess uncapped hookers Rob Buchanan and Jack Singleton, who are in line to face the Barbarians.
"They both have a lot of work to do," said Jones. "Singleton looks like he likes his English breakfast too much, young Singleton! Both have a good deal of potential and I am excited about working with them."