The struggling Scots will be without the lock - probably his countrys best player in the competition so far - for Saturdays Murrayfield clash with Italy because of a knee injury.

But the Sale Sharks player has targeted a return either against Wales at Murrayfield on March 13 or England at Twickenham a week later.

He told STV: Im aiming to be ready for selection for the Wales or England game.

I would love to be involved. Im going to work hard with the physios back in Sale and they are optimistic.

Its not serious. Its a little bit swollen but thankfully two to four weeks is how long the physios are saying.

White, who won his 45th cap against Ireland earlier in the month, damaged his right knee in Sale Sharks' victory against Leeds Tykes last week.

Scotland team doctor James Robson confirmed the injury had not been as bad as it might have been.

He said: Jason underwent a scan this morning.

He has ligament damage and a little bit of bone bruising. Happily no surgery is required and he will embark on intensive rehabilitation as part of a two-to-four week recovery period.

Scotland coach Matt Williams, who will announce his team on Thursday, is already without concussion victim Ross Beattie. Glasgow's Paul Dearlove and Simon Cross of Edinburgh have already been called up as replacements.

Like Italy, the Scots have been beaten in their first two games in this years tournament, losing narrowly in France before subsiding to Ireland.