Vickery injury setback

England prop Phil Vickery has suffered a setback on the road to recovery from his latest injury.

The Gloucester forward, sidelined since suffering a broken arm during the Zurich Premiership game against Bath in mid-February, is battling to play again this season.

Initial hopes were that he might have been available for Gloucester’s appointment with Leeds next Saturday, but club medical staff have now told him the fracture has not fully healed. Vickery requires at least another two to three weeks’ recovery time.

Clive Woodward is due to announce the Lions squad for this summer’s New Zealand tour next Monday, and Vickery is a leading selection candidate.