ENGLAND look set to be without centre Jonathan Joseph for their summer tour of South Africa after Bath confirmed the 40-cap player would miss the rest of the season.

Bath rugby director Todd Blackadder says that 26-year-old Joseph requires surgery on his foot and will "need a lengthy period of time to rehabilitate."

He was hurt during Bath's Aviva Premiership defeat against Saracens last Sunday, leaving Allianz Park on crutches.

Joseph's Bath and England team-mate Anthony Watson is already sidelined from the tour because of an Achilles' injury, and captain Dylan Hartley is viewed as a doubt due to concussion.

Knee injuries, meanwhile, are likely to sideline lock Courtney Lawes and number eight Nathan Hughes.

England tackle the Springboks in Johannesburg on June 9, Bleomfontein seven days later and then Cape Town on June 23.

Bath, who are out of contention for the Premiership play-offs, have two games left this term against Gloucester and London Irish.

"JJ (Joseph) is going to need surgery to correct his injury," Blackadder told the club's official website.

"He will then need a lengthy period of time to rehabilitate.

"Our medical team will work closely with him to ensure we get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Joseph started three of England's Six Nations games this season, and he is a prolific international try-scorer with 17 Test touchdowns.

Jones has plenty of midfield resources with players like Owen Farrell, Ben Te'o, Elliot Daly and Henry Slade, but Joseph's prospective absence is a considerable blow.

He has been involved in 24 of Jones' 28 Tests at the helm, and proved to be one of England's most potent attacking weapons.