England call up Monye

Harlequins wing Ugo Monye has been drafted into England’s elite player squad as replacement for the injured James Simpson-Daniel.

And manager Martin Johnson has promoted two additional players from the England Saxons group as injury cover.

There are sufficient concerns surrounding hamstring injury victims Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway for Johnson to call up London Irish back Delon Armitage and Quins back-row forward Nick Easter.

Simpson-Daniel, meanwhile, will undergo surgery next week after suffering ankle ligament damage that threatens to sideline him until late January.

Johnson’s players will assemble at their Surrey training base on Sunday. Their opening autumn Test is against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on November 8.

Neither Gloucester number eight Narraway nor Sale Sharks back Tait are involved for their clubs in this weekend’s round of EDF Energy Cup action.

A decision on both players’ fitness is expected to be made by Monday week after receiving treatment from England’s medical team.

If they are deemed unfit, they will return to their clubs for further treatment, meaning both Armitage and Easter would remain with the senior England squad.

Johnson said: “Ugo Monye, Nick Easter and Delon Armitage have all been playing well for their clubs this season.

“I was able to fast-track Delon by bringing him into the Saxons last night, and into the England senior squad this morning.”

Both Monye, 25, and 24-year-old Armitage are uncapped, while Easter was a key member of England’s 2007 World Cup squad.

Replacements for the Saxons squad are being considered, and an announcement on those players is expected next week.