England flanker James Haskell insists he will be pushing as hard as possible to be back from a toe injury in time to make his case for a spot in Eddie Jones’ side looking to defend their RBS 6 Nations title next year.
The 31-year-old was instrumental for the Red Rose in their successful tour Down Under this summer, being named man of the series in England’s 3-0 victory over Australia, despite missing the final Test.
But Haskell has had to go under the knife in recent weeks to have a piece of his sesamoid bone removed and some tendons re-attached, and is expected to be out of action for four to six months.
And with the English Premiership and Autumn Internationals on the horizon, Haskell is desperate to get back to full fitness as soon as possible, and return a better player than before.
“I had been playing for five or six games with anaesthetic in my foot towards the end of the season, because it just got more and more sore,” he told Sky Sports.
“I saw a specialist and nothing else was going to happen to it but then, in that second Test, I must have weakened something called the plantar plate, and had to have an operation.
“I was in for about two and a half hours under the knife and the surgeon says he has done his best work.
“The most important thing for me is getting back for Wasps. I was captain last season, it is my favourite club in the world, and I am disappointed not to be there with the guys training.
“I have got two weeks with my foot up and then the rehab starts. Anyone will tell you who has been injured, it is way worse than any of the training, it is going to be quite flat-out.
“I will try to come back as fast as I can. The surgeon said four to six months, I will try to be pushing back for four.
“It is a long process but I am good at compartmentalising. I’ve been playing non-stop for 14 years, this is an opportunity to come back better and fitter.”