England and Leicester received mixed news on Tuesday as Tom Croft insisted it is ‘business as usual’ following a shoulder scare — only for club captain Ed Slater to be ruled out for the season. Croft pulled out of Saturday’s Aviva Premiership opener against Newcastle after experiencing pain as a result of a stinger he suffered in pre-season. Given Croft’s injury history — he sustained a career threatening neck injury two seasons ago and last year needed extensive surgery on torn knee ligaments — there were fears the England and Lions flanker could be facing another extended spell on the side-lines. But, speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, the 28-year-old revealed he is fit and ready to face Exeter at Sandy Park on Saturday.
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'Business as usual' for Tom Croft after shoulder injury scare
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Tigers second row Ed Slater ruled out for 'several months'
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England international has been suffering from knee injury
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Director of rugby Richard Cockerill confirmed the news
@placeholder played on for 20 minutes after suffering the injury, which was only spotted when he returned to Leicester following the tour.