Ellis has a niggling Achilles tendon injury which is likely to keep him out of the Tigers English Premiership clash with Gloucester on Saturday but the clubs medical team have predicted a speedy recovery.

Leicester coach John Wells said: I think if we handle Harry well over the next few days, it may be to Leicesters detriment but will be to Englands benefit.

At the moment weve got him pencilled in for the bench but his Achilles might be too sore to allow that.

Ellis has been Englands form scrum-half so far this season and is competing with Gloucesters Andy Gomarsall for the number nine jersey against Canada on November 13.

England coach Andy Robinson can ill-afford any further injury setbacks; Richard Hill has been ruled out for most of the season while Jonny Wilkinson, James Simpson-Daniel, Alex Brown and Ollie Smith are all rated doubtful for the Tests.