The 30-year-old lock was ruled out with a broken bone in his foot but he insists he is ready to return at Murrayfield for his first international match since last March.

Hines said: Training has gone really well this week and Im just looking forward to getting some game time this weekend, although I would rather be starting.

Mind you, I suppose I havent played a game in six weeks so I cant really complain.

This has been an injury-blighted season for Scotland, with the likes of Jason White, Allister Hogg, Simon Taylor, Johnnie Beattie, Chris Cusiter, Mike Blair, Rob Dewey, Simon Webster and Craig Smith also being forced into extended lay-offs.

However, Scotlands luck might be changing with every player who took part in last Saturdays match against England fit and available to play - the first time since last seasons Six Nations game against Ireland that coach Frank Hadden has not been forced into making changes, although he has opted to drop three players.

Hines is one of the beneficiaries of this reshuffle.

With Scott Murray moving from the bench to the starting XV and Alastair Kellock dropping out of the squad altogether, the 30-year-old has been given a chance and he is confident that he is ready for the task ahead.

Hines continued: Usually when I come back from injury Im not too bad, so Im not worried about my fitness.

Ive been working really hard, and although nothing replaces what you do in a game its also good to get a break because you can train harder when you dont have a game at the end of the week, and youre not getting smashed every week as well.

I would have preferred to have been involved last week, of course, but you just have to take it as it is.

The Perpignan lock is not taking the challenge of Wales lightly and has welcomed the return of his old sparring partner Murray to the starting side.

I think we will be under the same pressure as we were at Twickenham because Wales are really hard to play against, especially in the lineout, he said. They will make it hard for us to win clean ball, so the return of Scott is going to be very important.

Last week we didnt have many leaders in the pack and once we started going backwards a bit, and England started dominating, it didnt seem like there was anyone taking charge and helping everybody to front up  so it is good to have that extra bit of experience in there.