The door has been opened for Billy Twelvetrees to start against Wales after England's Six Nations injury-crisis heightened.
Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell and Kyle Eastmond are all carrying injuries ahead of the Championship opener at the Millennium Stadium next Friday.
That leaves Gloucester captain Twelvetrees and Bath ace Jonathan Joseph as the only fit centres left in Stuart Lancaster's squad.
Burrell suffered concussion during Northampton Saints defeat to Racing Metro, in which Wales centre Jamie Roberts starred, while Barritt and Eastmond are nursing knee and shoulder injuries.
To compound England's woes Owen Farrell, another midfield option also sustained a knee injury.
Lancaster said: "It's too early to give any definitive news on their status."
Twelevetrees fell out of favour during the autumn but started the last Test – a victory over Australia – and has rediscovered his form in a Cherry and White jersey.
England are already without Manu Tuilagi and have a number of headaches up front. Ben Morgan is already ruled out while look trio Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling will all miss the beginning of the tournament.
