Mike Brown is still suffering concussion symptoms and faces a race against time to prove his fitness for England's pivotal RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.
England boss Stuart Lancaster revealed on Tuesday that the Harlequins full-back is yet to start the first steps in the strict recovery process after a heavy blow to the head during Saturday's 47-17 victory over Italy.
England have sent 17 players back to their clubs to play Premiership rugby this weekend, but Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood are unlikely to be fit for league action.
Fullback Brown will not train this week, but must remain free of any concussion symptoms for 24 hours before he can resume normal service.
"We're going to have to see how he comes through the return to play protocols. He'll go through that graduated return and he hasn't started that yet," Lancaster said.
"He won't take any part in training this week. So if he starts all that tomorrow then he goes through that process, so that would be from the bike and onwards.
"Seven days would give him enough time in the build-up, but that's hypothetical at the moment because he hasn't started the process, so we'll wait and see."
England pack trio Lawes, Parling and Wood have been released back to their clubs, but Lancaster does not expect any to be available for league action this weekend.
The England boss hopes all three will train fully next week ahead of the Ireland clash, which is already being billed as the tournament decider.
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