Delon Armitage will not be pulling on an England shirt in November © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Delon Armitage

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | London Irish

England fullback Delon Armitage is set to be ruled out of the November international clashes after it was revealed he requires an operation on a dislocated shoulder.

The London Irish star, who picked up the injury in the Exiles' 40-10 victory over Gloucester at the Madejski Stadium last weekend, will go under the knife on Monday with early estimates suggesting he will be sidelined for 12 weeks - ruling him out of England's clashes with New Zealand, Australia and Argentina later this year.

Armitage had his left shoulder injury examined by a specialist today and it was agreed with the London Irish and England medical teams that he would have an arthroscopy next week with a view to having an operation the same day.

A statement from the Rugby Football Union said, "Until the arthroscopy procedure and the operation has been completed the exact period of time that Delon will be unavailable for his club and England cannot be confirmed but it is expected that it will be for up to 12 weeks."

Armitage joins centre Riki Flutey on a worrying injury list for England manager Martin Johnson who will delay naming any replacement until the squad next convene on October 25.

Johnson gave both players their England debuts in his first game in charge, against the Pacific Islanders 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. "The England senior EPS players will meet again on October 25 and a squad will be announced the following day after round six of the Guinness Premiership."

Gloucester fullback Olly Morgan is set to deputise as the only other specialist fullback in the England EPS squad, although Northampton's Ben Foden, Wasps' Danny Cipriani or Bath's Nick Abendanon could be called on from the England Saxons squad.