Lesley Vainikolo is facing months out of action after damaging his Achilles in Gloucester's victory over Saracens.

The powerful winger slipped during the first half of Saturday's 22-16 Guinness Premiership win and had to be carried off the field.

He was being assessed over the weekend and Gloucester expect to discover the full extent of his injury today.

Vainikolo's injury has come at a particularly bad time for Gloucester, who were already without his fellow back-three players James Simpson-Daniel (ankle) and Iain Balshaw (groin).

Head coach Dean Ryan said: "Les has got an Achilles injury which could be serious. We've just got to wait and see the full extent of it."

But Ryan played down suggestions Vainikolo's injury was caused by the hard Kingsholm surface, with the match only getting the go-ahead following a pitch inspection 75 minutes before kick-off.

"I don't think so – he slipped," said Ryan.

"We get injuries every week and sadly Les has got one this week."

The victory was Gloucester's ninth in 10 matches in all competitions and ensured they arrived at the halfway point in the Premiership season in a good position, with 36 points from their 11 games.

"We're in good shape," said Ryan. "We've had to play a lot of different ways up to this halfway point and we're still up there.

"I think we have learned an enormous amount, which will stand us in good stead towards the end."

Ryan is expected to be able to bring Simpson-Daniel, Balshaw, Anthony Allen, Gareth Delve, Akapusi Qera, Andy Hazell and Peter Buxton back from injury inside the next month.