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England captain Steve Borthwick has been diagnosed with a sprained rib cartilege but should be fit for the November internationals at Twickenham against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

The lock (pictured centre) suffered the injury playing for his club Saracens in the Guinness Premiership win over Harlequins on Saturday.

It was originally feared that he may have broken a rib but Saracens confirmed a scan had revealed just a cartilage sprain.

The statement from Saracens said it was too early to say whether Borthwick would be fit for the Premiership clash with Gloucester on Sunday, but they were confident he would be okay to lead England out against Australia on November 7.

"Saracens and England supporters can relax," said Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter.

"It's not a serious problem and it certainly won't stop Steve from being available for the November internationals, but we will have to wait and see if he is available for Sunday's game against Gloucester."

Borthwick has been in fine form in Saracens' impressive start to the Premiership season. The London club have won their first three games and currently lie second in the standings.

Meanwhile, Harlequins centre Jordan Turner-Hall, one of the contenders to replace the injured Riki Flutey, was undergoing a scan on a shoulder injury suffered in the same game at the Twickenham Stoop.

A Harlequins spokesperson confirmed Turner-Hall had had an x-ray on and was being reviewed in conjunction with England medics.

England face Argentina on November 14 and the All Blacks a week later.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport