Brad Barritt has undergone surgery on a foot injury © Getty Images

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Saracens and England centre Brad Barritt has been ruled out of action until the end of the year after undergoing surgery on a foot injury.

The 27-year-old picked up the injury in Saracens' opening Premiership victory over London Irish last weekend. As a result, he was not included in the side set to tackle Gloucester at Allianz Park today and the club has now confirmed that he is set for a lengthy lay-off and will therefore miss England's end of year campaign.

Saracens' director of rugby Mark McCall said: "Brad is a tremendously important player for us and for England, and he will be missed through the autumn, although we have talented players ready to step forward. Brad is on the road to recovery and we look forward to his return later this season."

Barritt missed the end of the last Premiership campaign with an ankle injury and was rested for England's summer tour of Argentina but was later called up to the British & Irish Lions in Australia as an injury replacement and featured twice in midweek games.

McCall added: "We're not exactly sure of the time frame. It's really unfortunate for Brad because he's been outstanding for us over the last four seasons. We'll miss him for the next three months or so, but Brad hasn't had much of a break from rugby for four and a half years.

"Getting him back in January will be a real bonus for us and he'll have a lot to look forward to from that moment on. We're not exactly sure when the injury happened. He injured that foot against Toulon last season and it's come back again. It's unfortunate, it's one of those things."

Barritt was an ever-present during England's Six Nations campaign last season and his injury leaves Leicester's Manu Tuilagi, Gloucester's Billy Twelvetrees and Bath's Kyle Eastmond as the only fit centres in the current England Elite Player Squad.

England kick off their end of year campaign against Australia on November 2 and head coach Stuart Lancaster has already lost the services of flanker Tom Croft.