Lawrence Dallaglio promised on the day after having a plate and five screws inserted into his broken ankle that he would be back in action by October - and he has been true to his word.

Wasps have confirmed Dallaglio will be in the squad for Friday's Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Cardiff at the Causeway Stadium.

Dallaglio underwent surgery in Auckland on June 5th after he was caught awkwardly under a pile of bodies in the Lions' opening tour match against Bay of Plenty.

Initial estimates placed his recovery time at between four and six months, but Dallaglio insisted from his hospital bed that it would be sooner rather than later.

After four months of intense physio, he is ready to take his first step on what could be the final journey of his career, one the former England captain hopes will lead to more World Cup glory.

Dallaglio retired from England duty as captain in September 2004, just days before Clive Woodward quit, citing the "brutal demands" of the modern game.

But he made himself available for a third Lions tour, and after that was wrecked by his injury just 17 minutes into the opening game the prospect of an England return began to formulate.

"When you have had a long-term injury the main priority is to get back on to the rugby pitch in a black shirt, playing for Wasps. Then we'll be able to see what level I am at," Dallaglio said recently.

"I have the desire to play international rugby, but whether I have the ability we'll have to wait and see.

"No matter who you are or what you have done in the game, form and fitness are very, very important."

England head coach Andy Robinson would welcome Dallaglio back into the fold.

"I would love Lawrence to put himself forward to play for England again. He is still a great player," he said this weekend.

"The crucial thing is for him to get back playing and get back to where he used to be."