Billy Vunipola could return for England's Six Nations clash with Scotland after being passed fit for contention for Saracens' Aviva Premiership game against Newcastle this weekend.
The No 8 has been training with Saracens all week and a decision over whether he can face the Falcons on Sunday will be made after the final training session on Friday.
If he gets through the session and proves his fitness in the game, Vunipola could return to the England squad ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham on March 11.
Vunipola has been absent for three months with ligament damage, undergoing surgery after damaging his knee during last autumn's victory over Argentina.
The 24-year-old was initially expected to miss the entire tournament, only for Eddie Jones to raise the possibility of him returning in time to face Ireland in the final match.
Vunipola underwent a medical assessment with England last week and could soon be ready to reinforce England's quest for a second successive Grand Slam.
"It's pretty positive. We're working with Saracens to see when he's going to be available to play. We haven't written off the hope he'll play in the Six Nations. He's looking fit," Jones said on Friday.
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be shown live on Sky Sports, starting June 3 2017.