Feyi-Waboso's injury is one of the first for an England player since new contracts were brought in between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs.

The winger is on an enhanced elite player squad contract, giving England the final say on when he plays and greater influence on medical matters under the new eight-year Professional Game Partnership between the RFU and top-tier clubs.

Baxter says the decision on whether to operate or not is slower than it would have been had it been down solely to England.

"I think it certainly would have happened quicker, without doubt," he said.

"We had things booked, ready to go, decisions ready to be made a week ago. The process you have to go through now has certainly slowed things down.

"That doesn't mean, necessarily, that it's wrong, but it certainly slows things down."

Club and country team-mate Henry Slade played through a shoulder injury last season, opting to have an operation after it worsened during England's summer tour of New Zealand.

Feyi-Waboso's absence for at least the opening rounds of the Six Nations leaves England looking at alternatives in the back three with full-back George Furbank still recovering from a broken arm that is likely to rule him out of their tournament opener against Ireland at least.

Northampton's Ollie Sleightholme, who started against South Africa and Japan in the autumn after Feyi-Waboso suffered a concussion, could step in once again, with Sale's Tom Roebuck and Harlequins' Cadan Murley, who scored two tries in England A's win over second-string Australia side in November, also in contention.

Bristol's Gabriel Ibitoye, who is joint top of the Premiership's try-scoring charts, is out of action with a leg injury.

Feyi-Waboso, who was nominated as World Rugby's breakthrough player of 2024, has scored five tries in eight Tests since making his England debut as a replacement against Italy last February.

The former Wales age-grade international, who was born in Cardiff but qualifies for England through family ties, has been touted for selection for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer.