England hope Ellis Genge will be fit to face Wales at Twickenham in Saturday’s second Six Nations clash.
Genge was a late withdrawal from England’s slender 27-24 victory over Italy in Rome on Saturday, having picked up a foot problem.
The Bristol star’s place on England’s bench was taken by in-form Bath prop Beno Obano.
Harlequins stalwart Joe Marler played all but five minutes of a testing battle at the Stadio Olimpico, and England would receive a clear boost should Genge be available to face Wales.
“I’d be really hopeful that Ellis is available for next weekend,” said England boss Steve Borthwick.
“He trained on Thursday and felt something. He had a scan on his foot on Friday morning.
“There was a small, acute recurrence of something that happened in the past.
“On Friday night we got the result of the scan back and he was ruled out on Saturday morning.
“I really hope he will be available next weekend.”
Genge has struggled to dislodge Marler in England’s starting XV of late, with the experienced Quins man judged to be offering more exacting scrummaging.
Former Leicester captain Genge retains a senior leadership role in the England squad however, and he made his presence felt around the Red Rose camp in Rome despite not featuring.
Head coach Borthwick will want Genge to play against Wales however, especially with Marler pressing through the bulk of the clash in Italy.
Genge would likely have joined the fray off the bench for at least the last quarter, which would have lightened the load on Marler.
Wales will head to Twickenham spitting fire that they lost 27-26 at home to Scotland, but also buoyed up by their stunning rally from 27-0 down, that so nearly saw them swipe victory.
Leicester lock George Martin might have an outside chance of finding fitness in time to take on Wales, but that still remains a long shot as he battles back from a minor knee niggle.
Marcus Smith will definitely not be available for Wales however, as the Harlequins fly-half continues to contend with a calf problem.
England are still loath to put a timescale on Smith’s return, with the 24-year-old having had several scans to determine the extent of the problem.
Centre Ollie Lawrence is making good progress through a hip problem, but it appears the Wales clash will come too soon for him also.
