England centre Mike Tindall could be back in action in nine weeks after doctors said he would not have to undergo an operation on his damaged right ankle.

A statement on Bath's club website said: "A visit to an ankle specialist in London confirmed that the Bath centre had not completely ruptured all of the tendons in his right ankle.

"Mike's rehabilitation time could now be cut to nine weeks instead of the original predicted time span of 12 weeks."

Head coach John Connolly added: "It has now been confirmed by two surgeons that Mike will not need an operation.

"In terms of recovery time we will have to wait and see but it is looking likely that Mike will probably be back within nine or 10 weeks."

Tindall, a member of England's World Cup winning team, landed awkwardly while scoring Bath's first try in their game with Saracens last Saturday.

Although he had earlier been ruled out of the Six Nations, which starts on February 14th, Tindall could be back for England's final two games, against Wales and France on March 20th and 27th.

Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers could be boosted by the return of World Cup winners Martin Corry and Dorian West for the English Premiership encounter at home to Gloucester tomorrow. Corry faces a fitness test on a hamstring injury while West has made a rapid recovery from his cartilage operation.

In the remaining matches third-placed London Irish host Northampton, the side immediately below them, while leaders Bath make the long trip to South Yorkshire to take on bottom side Rotherham Titans and Newcastle host Harlequins.