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Wasps have confirmed that their England flanker Tom Rees suffered a medial ligament tear in his right knee playing against Harlequins on Sunday and will be sidelined for a minimum of two months.

Rees (pictured) came on as a substitute in Wasps' 24-18 victory at Adams Park but limped off before the end of the game.

"After leaving the pitch during Wasps' Guinness Premiership clash with Harlequins, Tom Rees has undergone scans which have shown a moderate tear of the medial knee ligament," Wasps said in a statement.

"Rees will begin a period of ongoing and extensive rehabilitation with Wasps physio team. He is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two months."

Rees's absence will be a real blow to Wasps' chances in the Premiership as they look to bounce back from a poor start to the league.

The injury also means Rees will likely miss all of the Six Nations, which runs from February 7 to March 21.

Openside Rees, whose Six Nations last year was curtailed by the same injury, was one of England's better performers during their disappointing November series of internationals.

The 24-year-old will now have to rely on his performances for Wasps in the Premiership and Heineken Cup to secure a place on the Lions tour to South Africa this summer.

England manager Martin Johnson names his elite player squad for the Six Nations next week and will likely name a replacement for Rees.

Bath skipper and openside flanker Michael Lipman is already in the squad, while fit-again Lewis Moody and uncapped pair Steffon Armitage and Will Skinner could also come into the reckoning.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport