Gloucester have revealed they will not be considering their 6ft 6in lock for club games until at least the end of November.

While England have yet to make any public declaration about Brown, his chances of featuring against either Australia, New Zealand or Samoa next month appear bleak.

Brown, widely tipped to make an England breakthrough when the Wallabies arrive at Twickenham on November 12, has a disc problem in his neck.

He will continue to be monitored during the next seven days, but Gloucester have already ruled him out their European Challenge Cup clash against Bucuresti next Saturday, plus Novembers Premiership schedule.

Nothing else has been on my mind for the last few days and it is gutting to know I will miss an opportunity with Gloucester, and potentially with England, said Brown.

I will see a specialist and hopefully we will know more later this week. I just have to try and remain positive, take the best out of the situation and return fitter and stronger.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan added: This is certainly unfortunate timing for Alex and for the club, and his desire to play at an international level.

He will be an obvious loss to us as we continue to evaluate his condition.

Browns expected removal from the England equation is another blow to head coach Andy Robinson, who has already lost knee injury victim Joe Worsley for all three Tests.

Robinson retains strong second-row options though, with Simon Shaw, Danny Grewcock, Tom Palmer and Louis Deacon in the current squad, while Bath captain Steve Borthwick is among a group of players on stand-by.