England flanker Tom Curry is “highly unlikely” to face New Zealand on Saturday due to an ankle injury, head coach Eddie Jones said on Monday.
Curry limped off shortly after half time in England’s win against South Africa last weekend before leaving Twickenham on crutches.
He had yet to be officially accessed by Monday afternoon but Jones said Curry was a major doubt for England’s second match of the November series.
“He’s going for an examination now [Monday afternoon] and the news probably isn’t going to be too good.” Jones told Sky Sports.
“It gives an opportunity for someone else to play No.7. We’ve got [Sam] Underhill and [Mark] Wilson who can play No.7 and [Zach] Mercer has an opportunity to play at No.8.”
Despite Curry’s absence, England will be boosted by the return of Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi, who missed the Springboks match due to back and groin injuries respectively.
Owen Farrell is also free to play after World Rugby decided to take no further action over his last-minute tackle on Andre Esterhuizen.