England manager Martin Johnson has plenty of food for thought ahead of the November internationals © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Delon Armitage | Riki Flutey | Martin Johnson

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | London Irish

England manager Martin Johnson has backed his side to overcome the double blow of injuries to centre Riki Flutey and fullback Delon Armitage.

Flutey and Armitage are set to miss England's autumn international series against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand with shoulder injuries but Johnson believes his squad boasts the strength in depth to cope with the loss.

Johnson will not name their replacements in the senior squad until October 25, six rounds into the Guinness Premiership season and the day after England convene in camp for the November series. The pretenders to the 12 and 15 jerseys - the likes of Olly Morgan and Mathew Tait, Shane Geraghty and Jordan Turner-Hall - have four league games in which to press their claims.

"Injuries happen. We have to get them back playing and look at the next guys in line," said Johnson. "There are some very good young players in the Saxons group and some good players outside it."

Morgan and Tait are the leading fullback options already in the senior squad but Saxons Ben Foden and Nick Abendanon now have their chance to press their own claims for promotion. Geraghty, Turner-Hall and South African import Brad Barritt will lead the race to replace Flutey, who was the only specialist inside centre selected by Johnson in July.

Flutey and Armitage have been two of the big success stories of Johnson's regime after being given their debuts together in the Pacific Islands game last November. Armitage has played every game since, while Flutey only missed the summer Tests against Argentina because his England form had earned him selection for the British and Irish Lions.

"Riki and Delon both had excellent international seasons last year and I wish them well with their recovery," said Johnson.

Armitage will have an arthroscopy on Monday with a view to undergoing an operation on his left shoulder on the same day. Only then will the exact recovery timeframe be known but the estimated 12 weeks will not only rule him out of England's plans but also London Irish's first four Heineken Cup games.