England are facing a fresh injury concern ahead of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday after Joe Launchbury did not take part in the squad training session in Durban.

Launchbury, who is expected to be named in the starting XV alongside Maro Itoje in the second row to face the Springboks if fit, appeared to be struggling with a calf injury.

The Wasps captain took part in stretching exercises on his own at the training pitch beside the Kings Stadium in Durban. Sam Simmonds, the Exeter flanker, also trained on his own for part of the session before joining in with the rest of the squad.

Neal Hatley, England's scrum coach, said: "Joe has just got a small niggle on his calf and we'll see where he gets to with that, other than that everyone is fit and ready to go.

"It's hard to tell how much of a doubt he is, we'll have a look at what he's done this morning. That will be ongoing."

Eddie Jones, the England head coach, is already without Courtney Lawes, George Kruis and Charlie Ewels because of injury.

England will have two training sessions in Durban before travelling to Johannesburg on Thursday.