But Vickery is now back in pre-season training with his club where director of rugby Tony Hanks described the 34-year-old as being in ‘the best shape he has ever seen him in’.

And with the 2011 World Cup fast approaching, Vickery will stop at nothing to force his way back into the Red Rose reckoning.

He said: “If anybody thinks that I’m just going to accept a pat on the head and thanks for the memories they’re wrong,” he said. “It’s just not in my mindset.

“I will do everything I can to get back in that England squad. Playing rugby for me is not just a job, it’s the game that I love and there’s no one more passionate about playing for their country than me.

“If that desire ever dies then I will pack up my bags and go home. But I will not go out without a fight; I will fight to the very end to get back in.

“You have to get your priorities right, if you’re playing well for your club, consistently week in week out, training hard, then I want to make sure there’s no other choice for Martin or whoever picks the squad but to get me back in.”