SALE'S Magnus Lund is one of three players called up to the England training squad for next Sunday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Italy in Rome.

Uncapped Newcastle scrum-half Lee Dickson and London Irish back Shane Geraghty have also been included.

All three players have joined the squad at their base in Bath.

England, reeling from the weekend's loss to Wales, have lost four players through injury.

Centre Mike Tindall is unlikely to play any further part in this season's Six Nations after suffering bruising to his liver that meant he was admitted to Hammersmith Hospital, where he remains under observation.

Wing David Strettle (foot), together with flankers Lewis Moody (Achilles) and Tom Rees (knee ligament), are also out of the Italy game and have returned to their clubs.

Ashton is due to name his starting line-up for Rome on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Sale's Rory Lamont is out of Scotland's clash with Wales this weekend because of shoulder and ankle injuries.