Fin Smith is an injury doubt for England’s Nations Championship series in November, with Gloucester fly-half Charlie Atkinson called up to this week’s training camp at Pennyhill Park.

Smith played 72 minutes of Northampton’s East Midlands derby defeat at Leicester on Saturday, before being replaced by Ollie Sleightholme. The fly-half appeared to be in some discomfort with his calf during the second half but continued playing until eight minutes from time.

England have not yet confirmed the 24-year-old’s prognosis but Steve Borthwick, England’s head coach, is expected to provide an update on Tuesday. Time is running out before England’s first Nations Championship game in November when Borthwick’s side face Australia at the Allianz Stadium. Guy Pepper, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Seb Atkinson are also not fit to play, attending this week’s training camp for rehabilitation alongside Fin Smith.

Charlie Atkinson’s form at Gloucester, the Prem league leaders, has been rewarded with a call-up. George Ford and Marcus Smith are the other fly-halves in contention.

Were Fin Smith to miss the autumn, or even the crucial first Test against Australia, that would represent a significant blow to Borthwick, who during the last Six Nations gave the Saint the keys to No 10. Fin Smith usurped Ford for the loss to Italy, who was dropped and who has not started since, and Marcus Smith, who has had to make do with appearances at full-back only.

In the event of a medium-to-long-term injury to Fin Smith, Borthwick may well turn back to Ford, who has become one of the head coach’s most trusted lieutenants. Marcus Smith has been seen as more of a full-back on the Test stage during Borthwick’s tenure, although the Harlequin featured at fly-half in his side’s Prem victory over Saracens on Sunday.

The squad gathered at Pennyhill Park late on Sunday and will remain in camp until Tuesday. England play the Wallabies, Japan and New Zealand on back-to-back weekends in November, and a final match at Allianz Stadium to be determined at the end of the championship.