But it was during that loss, that the 30-year-old picked up a fracture of his foot which X-rays showed to be much more severe than first thought.

A statement from Sale said: "He's likely to be out of action until well into the new year."

Hodgson had made his first appearance under Martin Johnson in the victory over Australia after apparently falling out of favour since England’s 2008 summer tour of New Zealand.

But with Johnson set to unveil his Elite Player Squads in January, Hodgson faces a race against time to regain his fitness.

If Hodgson does not return in time that will leave the door ajar for Jonny Wilkinson – who kicked 19 points in Toulon’s win over Montpellier – to fight it out with Flood for the starting berth.

England’s record points scorer missed the Autumn Internationals with a shoulder injury but was back to his best in the Top 14.

But after the RFU’s recent announcement on not selecting foreign-based English players after the 2011 World Cup, it remains to be seen whether Wilkinson will look for a return to the Aviva Premiership at the end of the season.