England flanker Tom Croft has been ruled out for six months through injury, putting his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
The 29-year-old suffered a dislocated shoulder in Leicester Tigers' 16-12 victory over Newcastle Falcons earlier this month, an injury that immediately ended his Six Nations campaign.
However, Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has revealed that Croft suffered nerve damage as well, leaving him in a race to be fit for England's World Cup bid, which begins against Fiji on September 18.
"He has had a bit of nerve damage as well. We hope it is as quick as possible but it's likely to be six months or so," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester.
"We just have to support the player and get him back on the field. It has been hugely disappointing for him and the club."
It is the latest in a long line of recent injury woes for Croft, who suffered a broken neck in 2012 and missed the majority of last season with a knee injury.
Barney Corkhill
