England could fast-track lock Maro Itoje back into their Six Nations squad for their next game against Italy after Courtney Lawes was ruled out of the tournament.
Lawes suffered a calf strain in England's 21-13 defeat by Wales in Cardiff on Saturday and is out for at least four weeks.
Itoje sustained medial ligament damage during England's 32-20 win over holders Ireland in their opening game and head coach Eddie Jones said the 24-year-old Saracens player had made good progress with his rehabilitation.
"[Itoje] is coming along well," Jones said. "I might have to give him the hurry-up, because we've lost Courtney. We've lost three of our best forwards and we've got to be able to cope."
Apart from Lawes, prop Mako Vunipola [ankle] and hooker Dylan Hartley [knee] have also been ruled out for the rest of the championship.
England host Italy at Twickenham on 9 March before playing Scotland on 16 March in their final game of the tournament.
