The 26-year-old was injured in his clubs 27-16 Heineken Cup defeat to Stade Francais in Paris on Sunday and a scan has revealed a slight tear to his abductor.

Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre said: 'Our bad luck with injures continues. The injury to Mark further disrupts the squad but our preparations have started for the weekend when we will be going all out to beat Stade Francais at Edgeley Park.'

Sale have already lost the services of England stars Charlie Hodgson and Andrew Sheridan for the rest of the season after the pair were injured in Englands 23-21 win over South Africa in November.

Fly-half Hodgson ruptured his cruciate knee ligament while prop Sheridan broke his left ankle and suffered ligament damage.

Cuetos injury should not affect his availability for Englands 2007 RBS 6 Nations campaign which gets under way against Scotland at Twickenham on February 3.