Burrell in contention for England return

LutherBurrell

Centre Burrell has missed England's defeats to New Zealand and South Africa due to a hand problem picked up in action for Northampton Saints last month.

However, he is in line to make a return against Samoa at the weekend, having been named in Stuart Lancaster's 28-man squad.

Bath's Semesa Rokoduguni misses out again, after a thigh problem ruled him out of the 31-28 defeat to the Springboks, while Kyle Eastmond remains a doubt due to concussion suffered in that Twickenham clash.

As Lancaster seeks to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat, the England head coach is hopeful Eastmond will be able to feature.

"We have narrowed the group to give us more focus in training," he told the RFU's official website.

"It's good to have Luther back in camp after recovering from his hand injury and we'll see how he gets on in training this week.

"Roko [Rokoduguni] will stay with Bath as he returns to fitness. Kyle suffered a bang to the head at the end of the [South Africa] game and he will be undergoing the Graduated Return To Play protocol with us.

"As per the EPS [Elite Player Squad] agreement we will release players on Tuesday evening to prepare for the Aviva Premiership games at the weekend."

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