That follows the news that Manu Tuilagi has also been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury while Northampton lock Courtney Lawes is also struggling with a knee problem.

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill revealed that Flood was suffering ligament damage in his knee which will also keep him out of the Tigers’ crucial Heineken Cup clash with Ulster next weekend.

He told the Leicester Mercury: “He hurt his knee on Sunday against Sale and we initially thought it was just like a dead leg.

“But it swelled up overnight and he went to see a specialist to determine the exact nature of the injury.

“It turns out that he has tweaked his ligaments and is likely to be out for four to six weeks, which was not as bad as we feared at one stage. But it still rules him out of the Wasps and Ulster game, which is not great after Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon's recent injuries.

“Manu will be out for four to six weeks.

“It may be a month depending on how his rehab goes.”