London Wasps will be without England wing Tom Varndell for their crucial Amlin Challenge Cup tie against Bordeaux Begles this weekend after he was ruled out for 12 weeks.
Varndell, who has made two European appearances this season, scoring one try, requires surgery on the injury and is not expected to return before at least 12 weeks.
Wasps top Pool 3 after five rounds of action and know that victory over the French opponents on Sunday will secure their passage through to the knock-out stage.
Varndell joins a growing injury list at Wasps which has already seen Chris Bell, Christian Wade, John Hart, Tom Rees and Ross Filipe sidelined with long term injuries.
