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Jason Robinson missed Monday's training session as he continues his fight to be fit for England's final World Cup pool game against Tonga on Friday.
The back, who will end his career after the tournament, is having treatment on his left hamstring, with the team to be named at 1230 BST on Tuesday.
On Sunday England director of rugby Rob Andrew said Robinson's recovery was progressing "better than expected".
Wasps flanker Tom Rees, who has a thigh problem, also sat out training.
Robinson pulled up sharply during the second half of England's 36-0 hammering by South Africa on 14 September.
The 33-year-old former rugby league great has already retired from club rugby and there were fears his career was over.
However, Andrew revealed that Robinson's prospects of playing again at the tournament "now look very different from last week".
One player who will be available for selection is England captain Phil Vickery.
He was suspended for two games after tripping USA centre Paul Emerick in England's opening game in France but has served his ban and could replace Matt Stevens at tight-head prop.
The defending champions kept their World Cup hopes alive with a hard-fought 44-22 win against Samoa on Saturday.
England face second-placed Tonga, who are above them in Pool A on points difference, in Paris on Friday, with the winner guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
Tonga are ranked only 14th in the world but they pushed South Africa all the way before succumbing 30-25 on Saturday, and Andrew said they will pose a formidable challenge.
"Anybody who thinks we can walk into the Parc des Princes next Friday night and come away with a comfortable victory, I suggest should watch the video of South Africa v Tonga and see how comfortable it is going to be," he said.
England forwards coach John Wells echoed Andrew's words.
He said: "We got a performance at the weekend, good enough to beat Samoa. We've got to get a performance good enough to beat Tonga this weekend.
"We're well aware of their quality. This isn't the Tonga of three or four years ago where you could walk out and put on 40, 50 or 60 points. It's going to be a ding-dong battle."
Tonga have injury concerns over wingers Seti Kiole and Tevita Tu'ifua and have reportedly spoken to new Gloucester signing Lesley Vainikolo about joining their squad.
Vainikolo, who joined Gloucester from rugby league side Bradford Bulls, scored five tries on his debut for the Cherry and Whites but picked up a neck injury against Saracens on Sunday and is waiting for the results of a scan.
The former New Zealand rugby league international - his caps do not affect his union eligibility - qualifies to play for England on residency grounds.
At the weekend he said: "My ambition is to play for England down the line, but I am also qualified for Tonga, so it's a question of whoever comes first."
Tonga will definitely be without second row Paino Hehea after he injured his shoulder in the loss to South Africa.
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Source: BBC Sport |
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