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England and Exeter star Henry Slade out for four months
ESPN Staff
December 8, 2015
Henry Slade will miss the majority of next year's Six Nations © Getty Images
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England and Exeter back Henry Slade will be out of action for around four months. 

Slade broke his leg and suffered ankle damage in the 65th minute of the Chiefs' win over Wasps on Saturday. He underwent surgery on Sunday with Exeter coach Rob Baxter describing it as a "pretty major operation". 

The 22-year-old had a plate and wiring inserted into his leg and he is set to miss the bulk of the Six Nations. 

"The reality is it is a decent injury, so you would normally talk around four months for an injury like this," Baxter said. "That can change relatively significantly both ways though depending on a number of factors.

"We are certainly not pencilling in any date for Henry's return because we know it is long-term. We will start talking about a return date in eight to 10 weeks' time when we know a bit more - it will take a bit of time though and a lengthy rehab process."

Baxter added: "He has had what all indications suggest was a successful operation. He has had a plate inserted into the lower part of his leg, he had to have some ligament repair and a bit of wire instead at the lower end of his leg too.

"It was a pretty major operation but certainly not one we don't expect him to make a full recovery from."

Exeter are also sweating on the fitness of back-row Dave Ewers who is recovering from knee ligament damage. 

"Dave will be a little while. He has a fairly significant knee injury so it is going to be a fair few weeks before we see Dave. That is relatively long-term," said Baxter. "It is difficult to put a timescale on these things but he will be a significant period of time."

The news of both injuries will come as a huge blow for Exeter and also for England. Both Ewers and Slade have played brilliantly in the early stages of the season and could have been in England contention come the Six Nations.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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