White, who missed Leicesters European Cup quarter-final demolition of Leinster in Dublin last Sunday, misses the Welford Road appointment with Sale Sharks on Saturday due to a stinger injury.

Whites problem, which affects the neck and arm area, is a continued cause of concern for Tigers coach John Wells and Lions boss Sir Clive Woodward.

Both White and his fellow World Cup winner Phil Vickery (broken arm) are currently out of action.

With Woodward due to name his Lions squad on Monday, he can only hope that both players - leading candidates for the Test team against New Zealand this summer - recover sooner, rather than later.

Gloucester forward Vickery suffered a setback earlier this week, when he was told the fracture in his forearm had not sufficiently repaired itself, meaning another possible two or three weeks recovery time.

Whites absence means Wales international Darren Morris continues at tighthead as Leicester look to consolidate top spot in the Premiership.

England lock Ben Kay (ankle) also misses out on the Sharks clash, so Louis Deacon again features alongside second-row colossus Martin Johnson.

Full-back Sam Vesty, centre Ollie Smith, scrum-half Harry Ellis and flanker Neil Back are all rested to the bench, which means starts for the likes of wings Alesana Tuilagi and Tom Varndell, plus back-row man Will Johnson.