England's biggest Test match in four years - a World Cup showdown with South Africa - could be overshadowed by a double setback during the next 36 hours.

While head coach Brian Ashton began picking through the pieces of a disjointed display against opening Pool A opponents America, key players Jonny Wilkinson and Phil Vickery had other matters on their minds.

Fly-half Wilkinson has now dispensed with the crutches required after he suffered an ankle ligament sprain during training last week.

England have promised a further medical update about his recovery prospects tomorrow, although professional medical opinion from outside the camp suggests he could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

World Cup captain Vickery, meanwhile, will hope match citing commissioner Steve Hinds does not decide a first-half trip on USA centre Paul Emerick warrants a disciplinary hearing.

Vickery insisted there was ''no malice'' in the challenge that could see him cited and banned.

New Zealander Hinds has until tonight to decide on lodging any complaint.

The incident went unnoticed and unpunished by referee Jonathan Kaplan, but video replays at Stade Felix-Bollaert suggested Vickery's action might have been premeditated.

Vickery said: ''It was unfortunate. He (Emerick) had made a good break, and I was back-tracking, like a good prop forward, always looking for the corner flag.

''He chopped inside me, and it was just instinctive, trying to stop him. Unfortunately, I tapped him, but there was no malice.''

Newport Gwent Dragons player Emerick also moved to play down the incident, adding: ''A guy misses a call, it's all right. How many times do you see that?''

''I don't think there was any malice or intent there. I've just got a bruise, it is all right.''

The last thing England need is their captain in hot water following a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign.

America's official representatives could also refer the matter to Hinds, although they do not have the power under World Cup rules to make their own citing.

Eagles coach Peter Thorburn said: ''I didn't see it clearly at the time.

''It's happened, and the decision was or was not made. We just have to move on - the referee calls it as he sees it."