Danny Hipkiss, the Leicester Tigers and England centre, will be out for up to six weeks after learning he will require knee surgery.

The 26-year-old, who has won seven caps for England, picked up the injury against Bath earlier this month, tearing his hamstring at the same time.

The injuries mean Hipkiss is almost certain to miss his country's Six Nations campaign.

He told the Leicester Mercury: "Injuries are occupational hazards of the game. I need a cartilage repaired and will probably be out for four to six weeks.

"The operation is not something I can put off because it is not getting any better. The hamstring tear was quite a big one and would have probably kept me out for four weeks or so anyway.

"It's not ideal but it's nothing serious. I am trying not to worry about it. That's the way it goes sometimes."