Armitage was helped from the pitch in the 61st minute of London Irish's 40-10 Guinness Premiership victory over Gloucester at the Madejski Stadium.

An update on the 25-year-old, England's most dynamic player since making his debut last November, is expected tomorrow with Exiles head coach Toby Booth reluctant to give a timeline for his return.

"Delon has a suspected dislocated shoulder and he's gone to hospital. We'll know more tomorrow," said Booth. "Delon is a tough cookie so he will front it out. I have no idea how long he'll be out.

"Losing Delon for any amount of time would be massive, he's an international full-back and we want him on the pitch.

"Touch wood it's not too serious and we'll get him back soon."

With dislocated shoulders typically taking six to 12 weeks to heal, Armitage could miss England's autumn fixtures against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

He joins Riki Flutey as a doubt for the November series at Twickenham, while Leicester's Toby Flood has already been ruled out following surgery on his Achilles problem.