Exeter and Wales flanker Christ Tshiunza will be out until the new year after breaking his foot against Sale.

“It was a bit innocuous, he didn’t come off with it,” said Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter.

“I don’t think he thought it was a big deal at the time, then there’s been some pain.”

X-rays and scans have revealed a fracture in one of the bones on Tshiunza’s foot and the flanker is awaiting specialist news on whether he will need any surgery, although Baxter thinks it is unlikely.

“That’s just one of those injuries that you have to manage in a certain way to make sure it initially heals well,” added Baxter.

“We’ll look to try and get him up and running as soon as possible, but it’s going to be a couple of months at least I think, which is a bit of a shame because he’s done about 20 minutes in quite a long time and was looking pretty good.

“But it’s going to be one of those annoying ones that we’re going to have to get on with.”