Slater sidelined after surgery

09 September 2014The 26-year-old lock has been sidelined since captaining England's midweek side to a 38-7 victory over Super 15 outfit the Crusaders in New Zealand in June.

Leicester have ruled Slater out for "several months", with England launching their autumn schedule by hosting New Zealand at Twickenham on November 8.

Slater would have been primed to battle Joe Lanchbury, Courtney Lawes and Dave Attwood for a second-row berth in head coach Stuart Lancaster's full England side.

"It's very disappointing for us and obviously for Ed because he was in such good form last …