Wales skipper Sam Warburton unlikely for game against England

Wales captain Sam Warburton is likely to miss the game against England on Sunday after failing to make satisfying progress from the shoulder injury he sustained last month.

Warburton suffered the injury while representing his club Cardiff Blues in the game against Ospreys and was taken off the field after 28 minutes in the match.

Earlier, Warburton also suffered a head injury during the 25-21 Six Nations defeat against England at Twickenham and was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Meanwhile, Wales and Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, who was recovering from a heel injury that kept him on the sidelines for six-week is all set for a return.

Jones' last appearance for Wales was during the Six Nations encounter against England and was ruled out of the subsequent game against Italy at the Principality Stadium.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde confirmed Jones' return to training and believes the game against England will help him get into the groove before the all important tour of New Zealand.

"Alun Wyn is good. He took a full part in training this morning," forwards specialist McBryde said.

"He hasn't had rugby in a long while. This game has been put in the diary in order for us to get up to speed - that intensity - before we face the All Blacks.

"Anybody who hasn't had that much rugby stands a good chance of being involved against England.

"Alun Wyn has made great strides. More time is going to benefit anybody, obviously, but at some stage you are going to have to dip your toe in the water and see how you react to games.

"He has progressed. He has followed the medical advice, and there is no better professional than Alun Wyn Jones, and if you couple that professional attitude with the medical team that we have got.

"They have worked wonders with players in the past, and it just goes to show when you follow protocols, anything is possible."

Revealing Jones was upset with himself after he left the field against England in the Six Nations, McBryde hopes the 30-year-old redeems himself as early as he can.

"Alun Wyn was frustrated (with) himself in the Six Nations because he couldn't reach the standards that he demands from himself.

"When you have got a player of that ability, he sets his own standards. That's great, really. From a coaching point of view, you haven't got to say a lot to him.

"I do hope he will get back up there pretty quick."

McBryde also confirmed that Warburton is on track to return for the New Zealand Test tour.

"This weekend will be too early for Sam, but he has taken part in parts in the rugby. He has done everything bar contact work," McBryde said.

"He is getting much stronger, feeling much better about himself, and that is evident in the way he is carrying himself and contributing to the meetings."

Following the game against Wales, England will be heading to Australia for a three-Test tour while Warren Gatland's men will face the All Blacks.

McBryde believes the game on Sunday will have to do more with the preparation for their respective tours.

"This game has been put in the diary for bigger things, and I don't mean that disrespectfully to England," McBryde added.

"It has been put in there as a stepping stone to play the world champions on their own patch, and that is the way we are treating the game. It is there for us to have a taste of that intensity, and what better place to go.

"I know there are a number of changes in the England team, but the nucleus of the team that won the Grand Slam is there.

"They are riding on the crest of a wave, and that is going to filter down to the rest of the squad.

"To go there (Twickenham) at this time, you are not going to play in a much better atmosphere to prepare you in order to go on to New Zealand."