Flutey has only played five times for Brive since his high-profile switch to France's Top 14 © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Riki Flutey

Tournaments/Tours: French Top 14

Teams: Brive | England | France

Brive and England centre Riki Flutey's troubled season has been ended by yet another injury setback.

The 30-year-old made a high-profile switch to the Top 14 last year but has only played five games for his club due to a succession of injuries and his international commitments with a recurrence of a long-standing shoulder injury now bringing a premature end to his first season in France's top fight.

A shoulder injury suffered whilst on duty for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa last summer limited his early season contribution with the Kiwi-born star forced to undergo surgery that sidelined him for three months. He returned to fitness in time for the Six Nations earlier this year but a thigh injury ruled him out of the Championship opener against Wales. The former Wasps and London Irish play-maker recovered to start all of England's remaining fixtures but struggled to find his best form.

Flutey was back on domestic duty with Brive earlier this month but he has since aggravated the same shoulder that was operated on last year with reports suggesting that he may require further surgery that would rule him out of England's summer tour to Australia and New Zealand.

The latest injury could also spell the end of his stay in France with rumours linking him with a move away from Stade Amedee-Domenech. Both former club Wasps and Irish province Munster are reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the 2008 PRA Players' Player of the Year. Brive have already released fly-half Andy Goode (Worcester) and winger Horacio Agulla (Leicester) amidst reports of financial pressures.

The news will also concern England manager Martin Johnson, whose side face a gruelling five-match tour later this year including two Tests against Australia, after prop Andrew Sheridan ruled himself out of the trip earlier this month to continue his re-hab from a shoulder injury.