Wasps have confirmed England flanker Brad Shields suffered a broken cheekbone during his Premiership debut against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Shields was taken to hospital after colliding heads with Exeter scrum-half Stuart Townsend early in the second half of Wasps' 42-31 defeat. The club said he will see a specialist on Monday to determine whether an operation is necessary but estimated that their new signing could be out for "three to eight weeks".
Brad Shields injury update: Brad Shields sustained a broken cheekbone during the game against Exeter Chiefs today. The back rower will be out for three to eight weeks.
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) September 8, 2018
More at: https://t.co/X74fa9mRsS pic.twitter.com/C6RnEEIoxJ
After making his England debut during June's tour of South Africa, the injury puts Shields' inclusion in Eddie Jones' latest squad in doubt. The England head coach is to announce a training squad on Sept. 20, ahead Test matches in November and December.
Born in New Zealand to English parents, Shields completed his switch from Super Rugby side Hurricanes in July, having already made his England debut earlier that summer.
After missing Wasps' opening game of the new season, Shields was announced in Dai Young's starting XV for the visit of the Chiefs, but his highly-anticipated Premiership debut was cut short.