Lewis Moody, the England and Leicester forward, suffered a serious ankle injury in training yesterday and it is expected to be confirmed today that he sustained a break which will keep him out of the Six Nations.

The 30-year-old was preparing for Leicester's Heineken Cup game against the Ospreys tomorrow when he hurt the ankle and he faces a likely two months out of action. That would be a devastating blow for Moody, who missed the autumn internationals after having ankle surgery.

It will further reduce the England's manager Martin Johnson's options in the pack after Tom Rees and Tom Palmer were ruled out by injuries and Matt Stevens was suspended following a failed drug test.