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England and Leicester Tigers lock Geoff Parling could be out for up to three months after having shoulder surgery.

Parling was injured in England's defeat against New Zealand on Saturday and is likely to miss at least the first two games of the Six Nations campaign.

England face France and Scotland in the opening two weeks of the tournament.

"After taking medical advice this week, he has had an operation," said Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Parling, 30, has become a key member of the England side following the 2011 World Cup.

Cockerill told the "The prognosis is that he is likely to be out for three months, which is obviously very disappointing for Geoff and also for us with all the other injuries we've had this season.

"But we will have to deal with it and we've got some good cover in the squad.

"We want Geoff to have a trouble-free recovery and to get himself right so he can rejoin the squad later in the season."