CHARLIE Hodgson and Jason White are back up and running seven months after they both damaged knee ligaments playing for their countries and have their sights firmly set on a World Cup place.

Scotland skipper White picked up his injury during the autumn international against Romania and a week later Hodgson suffered the same injury playing for England against South Africa.

The Sale pair both had surgery in Shropshire and travelled to the USA where they underwent three weeks intensive rehab with Bill Knowles - the renowned knee specialist who has helped a host of leading rugby stars - before returning to the Sharks to continue their recovery.

While most team-mates are heading for the sun on their holidays, Hodgson and White will be being put through their paces by Sale fitness and conditioning coach Nick Johnston in the EAS Fitness Suite at Carrington.

Sale have missed the incisive attacking play and precise kicking of Hodgson this season and White has also been a major loss in both defence and attack and both club and countries will be relieved to see them back.

They are both still some way from full contact rugby but both are prepared to play the waiting game as long as it means they are ready for action if they get the call.

Hodgson, who will miss out on the forthcoming tour to South Africa, still aims to return for his country for the World Cup warm-up games in August.

He said: "You can't rush an injury like this. I suffered the same injury on my other knee back in 2003 during the Six Nations and I know these things take time.

"I missed the World Cup that that year but have more time to recover this time around.

Recover

"While I can run at the moment I am not in a position to change direction at speed, and until I can do that I won't be available.

"But because I have been here before, I know that I can recover and that keeps me going."

White, who led Scotland so well during the 2006 Six Nations competition, is teaming up with his Churchill Cup side next week as part of his recovery programme.

He won't be taking part in any of their games but is looking forward to meeting up with the squad for training. White is targeting the August 11 and 25 dates at Murrayfield.

He said: "In terms of my comeback, the August games will be my first live games. First of all, I have to get myself fully fit and then Frank Hadden has to pick me. If he does then the first game against Ireland will be massive for me.

"I could have played in the Churchill Cup, but there was a big risk that I would put too much pressure on my knee. It was not so much the damage to the cruciate ligament, but I also suffered cartilage damage, and there was a high risk that might have gone again.

"You have to work backwards from the game, and to be able to play I would have had to be in full training this week. It is just a couple of weeks too early.

"It was disappointing because the Churchill Cup had been a big goal for me. I had built myself up about the chances of playing.

"But now it is a case of just getting on with it, getting through a really good conditioning phase and hopefully I will be in the best condition of my life for the World Cup.

Hodgson added: "It was very frustrating not being able to get out there and help out."

"You could see the lads getting down and by the end of the season they were very tired."

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