Rugby: England's Flutey back from the dead leg for Italian job
The Brive centre, who missed England's autumn Test campaign following shoulder surgery, had been picked to start alongside Mathew Tait in a new-look midfield combination.
Toby Flood was promoted into the starting line-up in his absence – but Flutey has returned to training and he is likely to be named in England's starting XV to face Italy on Sunday.
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Hide AdMartin Johnson was set to make his team announcement at midday today and there are expected to be few other changes from the 30-17 victory over Wales, if any.
The Leicester tight-head Dan Cole, who made his Test debut off the bench, is in with a chance of starting, particularly with David Wilson appearing to have shoulder trouble. Johnson will be selecting from the same 22 he originally named to play Wales plus the Worcester loose-head Matt Mullan and Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw, who both remained with the squad after nine players were released last night.