Toby Flood, the Leicester and England fly-half, is expected to be out for up to two months after straining knee ligaments during last Sunday's Premiership match against Northampton.

The 25-year-old was helped from the field in clear distress towards the end of the first-half after injuring his left knee. Leicester feared he may have suffered torn ligaments, but a scan this week revealed a strain.

Flood, who missed the first two months of last season because of injury but ended the campaign replacing Jonny Wilkinson in the England side, should be back in time for the start of England's four autumn internationals but he will be sidelined for Leicester's opening two Heineken Cup matches.

The Tigers hope to have the England flanker, Tom Croft, back on the bench for Saturday's match against Exeter at Welford Road following a shoulder injury while Steve Borthwick is set to be among the Saracens replacements on Sunday when they face Sale at Vicarage Road.