EXETER Chiefs are hopeful Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has escaped serious hamstring damage after a scan offered encouraging news on the England winger’s latest injury scare.

The 23-year-old will miss Sunday’s Champions Cup trip to Toulouse after limping off during the second half of Exeter’s 34-28 Premiership victory over Newcastle Red Bulls.

However, director of rugby Rob Baxter is optimistic the problem will not result in another lengthy spell on the sidelines for one of his key players.

Feyi-Waboso missed this year’s Six Nations after suffering hamstring damage in January, but has started every league game for the Chiefs this season.

Baxter is now hoping the winger could return for the Premiership clash with Bristol Bears on Saturday, October 24, giving him valuable game time before England’s Nations Championship campaign resumes against Australia on November 8.

“The scan doesn’t show too much,” said Baxter. “We are hopeful it’s one of those things where the player feels very little from it.

“On testing, he’s very good. We’re hopeful we can treat the symptoms he’s showing and see where he gets to over the next week or so. There’s nothing I’m hearing from our physios saying there should be a long-term issue.”

An England physio has also assessed Feyi-Waboso, with the national team keen to have him available for the autumn international campaign.

The winger scored tries against Fiji and Argentina during England’s summer fixtures and is an important part of Steve Borthwick’s plans.

His absence is another headache for Baxter, however, with Exeter already without fellow wingers Campbell Ridl, Olly Woodburn and Paul Brown-Bampoe.

The Chiefs must therefore find alternative options for the daunting trip to French giants Toulouse.

Tommy Wyatt, Ben Hammersley, Sam Harris and Zac Wimbush are among those available to fill the gaps, although Baxter admits his side are stretched in the position.

“We’re a little stretched there, but we’ve still got guys who’ve got Premiership experience,” he said.