England centre and Leicester Tigers Manu Tuilagi has been sidelined due to a groin injury and will miss the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old is still recovering from the injury he picked up in October, and Leicester boss Richard Cockerill is confident that he will make a come back for England’s World Cup campaign in September.

“He’s improving all the time but it’s a long process,” Cockerill told BBC Sport.

“The likelihood now is he may not play this season. The likelihood is he will be fit for June and he’ll join England for their World Cup camp.

“Hopefully he’ll be involved in the World Cup warm-ups and have a huge say in how England do.”

Tuilagi, who has not played a game since England’s 3-0 Series defeat by New Zealand in June – has won 25 caps for England.

England will start their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 18.