Exeter optimistic over Feyi-Waboso ankle injury after England exit

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was forced off at half-time of Sunday's 45-22 Nations Championship win over Australia at Twickenham with an ankle injury, and Exeter director Rob Baxter said he hopes the issue will not be serious; Feyi-Waboso will not feature again this year for England.

The 23-year-old's involvement in the autumn internationals has ended, but the club said he could still play for Exeter before the end of the year. The situation will be reassessed after medical review rather than through immediate treatment decisions.

Feyi-Waboso is due to meet a surgeon on Thursday to review scans, after which a detailed recovery plan will be drawn up.

Baxter set out the current medical view and the possible timeline, saying: "The balance of opinion at the moment, both from ourselves and England, is that he's unlikely to require an operation." He added: "If it's a decent high ankle sprain, I think you're talking a minimum of four to six weeks really, but obviously it's just so difficult to know." Baxter also noted: "Manny's the kind of guy, sometimes he might be running on this in a week's time and then that changes the whole timescale, so it's a little early to say yet."

Exeter's back three has been affected by several injuries this season: Campbell Ridl is out for most of the campaign with a knee ligament injury; Tommy Wyatt remains about a month away from fitness after an ankle problem; and Paul Brown-Bampoe returned to action in the Prem Rugby Cup loss to Bath last week after recovering from heel surgery over the summer.

The club has adapted by moving centre Zack Wimbush to the wing in recent weeks, and Dallas McLeod has joined up with Exeter following his summer move from New Zealand to provide additional cover out wide.

Baxter acknowledged the challenge and the club's approach, saying: "That's kind of how it happens, you've just got to get on with things." He continued: "We've just got to hope we get through this international period without any further injuries." On squad preparation he added: "We're obviously getting more guys up and running and getting good game time into them through his Prem Cup period."

Feyi-Waboso will have his scans reviewed on Thursday by a surgeon, after which Exeter will outline a specific rehabilitation programme.