England forward Joe Worsley could be back in full training next week after missing the world champions’ entire autumn Test series.
Worsley suffered a knee injury during Wasps’ Guinness Premiership defeat against Sale Sharks last month, and was ruled out of England’s Twickenham appointments with Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
Wasps though, are hopeful he will restart training sooner rather than later, giving England head coach Andy Robinson a boost after Leicester flanker Lewis Moody received a nine-week ban following his dismissal for fighting against Samoa.
Moody’s suspension expires only a week before the Six Nations opener against Wales on February 4, and a fully-fit Worsley would be the obvious replacement if Robinson decides to make a back-row change.
Worsley’s club, meanwhile, will book a place in the Powergen Cup semi-finals if they beat Causeway Stadium visitors Saracens on Sunday.
And Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan is leaving nothing to chance, recalling England backs Josh Lewsey and Tom Voyce, together with lock Simon Shaw, while scrum-half Matt Dawson is on replacement duty.
"I have been pleased with the performance of our squad in November, with the exception of the disappointment at Newcastle last weekend," said McGeechan.
"It is good to welcome our international players back and we are looking forward to consistency from everyone in the squad in the next two months, as the pressure for places in the team will be very real.
"That will give us a few selection headaches, but they are the sort of headaches you want to have as a coach."
