ENGLAND’S Billy Twelvetrees is almost certain to miss the New Zealand tour after being ruled out of action for “four to six weeks.”

England centre Twelvetrees suffered ankle damage in Gloucester’s 38-30 Premiership victory over London Irish on Saturday.

England had hoped to have the 24-year-old available for the first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on June 7 but though he does not need surgery he may now not be fit in time for either England’s first or second Tests.

Gloucester director of rugby Nigel Davies said: “It’s not ligaments, it’s a relatively minor injury in his ankle, but it will stop him from playing for between four to six weeks. It doesn’t need an intervention at this stage.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is already without the Premiership finalists Leicester and Saracens for the first All Blacks Test, with just seven days between the two matches.

Leicester hooker Tom Youngs is staying at home to look after his wife who is ill and Lancaster has opted not to risk Alex Corbisiero and Tom Croft.

Youngs’ absence adds to England’s hooker shortage, with Dylan Hartley, Rob Webber and David Paice all battling for fitness.