The 34-year-old had shoulder and neck surgery for the fourth time in October but could feature in the London side’s Guinness Premiership clash at bottom-side Worcester if he comes through training.

Vickery has appeared just three times for Wasps this campaign and has missed the last eight England Tests due to injury.
He has publicly stated his desire to get back into the England reckoning and now has between four and seven games, depending on Wasps’ success, to force his way back into Martin Johnson’s side.

Elsewhere, two teams with very different ambitions meet at the Madejski Stadium as London Irish host Leeds Carnegie.

Strugglers Leeds will be going all out for the win in order to propel them further away from the foot of the table while the Exiles will be aiming to cement a play-off place and secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since October.

Two other clubs with play-off ambitions are also in action this weekend as Bath host Sale and Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins travel to Saracens.

League leaders Leicester travel to Newcastle on Sunday, but could kick-off that game in second behind Northampton if they beat Gloucester at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.