As Moody prepares to launch his comeback, though, England head coach Andy Robinson has been dealt a double injury blow.

Gloucester have confirmed their 47 times-capped prop Phil Vickery will undergo a back operation on Saturday and will not play in this seasons RBS 6 Nations, while Bath back Olly Barkley faces six weeks sidelined with a dislocated thumb sustained against European Cup opponents Leinster last Sunday.

Barkley, a strong contender to have faced Wales at inside centre, is now also set to miss Englands appointments with Italy and Scotland next month.

Vickery had already been ruled out of the Wales clash - and he must now prepare for a third back operation during an injury-ravaged career.

Moody, meanwhile, was sent off for punching during Englands 40-3 victory over Samoa in November - an offence which landed him a nine-week ban.

He also gained the dubious distinction of becoming the first England player to be dismissed in a Test match at Twickenham.

Robinson will not announce his starting line-up to face Wales on Saturday week until next Tuesday, but Moody could well retain a starting berth despite a lack of match action.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley and Pat Sanderson are also in the mix as potential back-row colleagues for number eight and captain Martin Corry, so Moody must impress Robinson this weekend.

I am always keen to play and I am always chomping at the bit, said the 34 times-capped World Cup winner.

It is frustrating being out for any duration of time, and you have to train your mind around how you deal with the time off and take control of your emotions.

Surprisingly, it has actually gone relatively quickly. But Ive probably been the grumpiest man, with mood swings and being up and down. I suppose whenever you get to the end of a situation it always seems to have gone much more quickly - but when youre in the middle of it it does seem to drag.

Time is hardly on Moodys side for the Wales clash, but he will fall back on previous experience.

Coming back from injury after the World Cup, I was thrown straight into an international match - and it doesnt get much harder than that, he added.

I know I am capable of doing it and I know its going to be hard, because nothing compares to being match-fit.

There is always that niggling thing in the back of your mind, because you dont want to let anyone down and you want to go out there and perform as well as you possibly can.
There is a lot of pressure on me, but thats just the way it is - youve just got to get on with it.

If Andy Robinson doesnt see fit to select me for the internationals it will be disappointing for me, but it will be fine because it means I can concentrate on playing rugby for Leicester.

Ive spoken to Robbo, but you never know whats going to happen until the side is announced on the Monday or Tuesday of the Test week.

For me, I will just be very happy to get out on Saturday and play some rugby again and to pull on a Leicester shirt.

I am not going to change my game. I will change the manner in which I mentally approach it, because you have to rein yourself in a little bit.

Vickery, meanwhile, will have surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve root caused by a disc protrusion after damaging his back during Gloucesters Premiership victory over Saracens earlier this month.

In view of the fact he has had previous surgery in this area, his recovery and rehabilitation will be carefully monitored by his specialist and the Gloucester and England medical teams, said Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan.

He faces three months rehabilitation from the operation, and there is obviously a great likelihood it will disrupt the rest of his season. But we remain very positive that his outlook is bright.

Robinson added: Our best wishes will be with Phil on Saturday. It shows what a fighter he is that he has twice come back from surgery, and we are hoping this operation is also successful.

He is an outstanding member of the England squad and he will be sorely missed by us and Gloucester.