Delon Armitage has been ruled out of England's November Tests against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand after being told he requires surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

The London Irish fullback, who has established himself as an automatic pick for England if fit, will have surgery on Monday and is expected to be out of action for 12 weeks, the Rugby Football Union said.

"Until the arthroscopy procedure and the operation has been completed the exact period of time that Delon will be unavailable for his club and England cannot be confirmed but it is expected that it will be for up to 12 weeks," an RFU statement added.

England team manager Martin Johnson, who learned on Monday he would have to do without centre Riki Flutey for the November Tests, admitted the pair would be missed.

"Riki and Delon both had excellent international seasons last year and I wish them well with their recovery," Johnson said.

Flutey has been told to take a three-month break from playing to allow a shoulder injury to heal fully.

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