BEN MORGAN believes he is ‘on track’ to make the England World Cup squad after months of rehabilitation on his broken leg.

Gloucester number eight Morgan is realistic about his chances and said: “I know what I’m facing and it will be great if I make a full recovery in time.”

England begin their campaign to regain the Webb Ellis Trophy they won in incredible style 12 years ago with a warm-up match against France at Twickenham on August 15 and start the tournament in earnest with a date against Fiji on September 18.

Morgan, 26, has linked up with the national team after going on holiday and is positive he can regain the form that brought him the Player of the Series accolade during last year’s autumn Test series.

Morgan, who broke his leg badly while playing for Gloucester against Saracens in January, said: “Things have gone well so far and I have been very lucky to have some one-on-one time with Phil Pask (England’s senior physiotherapist) for the first two weeks. I was able to get a lot of sessions in, some crucial strengthening work and that’s set me up to get my work done.

“It’s difficult to say if I am ahead or behind schedule, I’d say I’m on track but I have to take it day by day. I’ve lost quite a bit of muscle so I have to slap the clay (muscle) back on.

“The focus is on strengthening the leg and getting it to a point when I can be on the field with the lads.

“There’s no point getting worked up about things if they don’t go your way, I have to go through certain check points before I can run and until I reach them, I can’t rush anything.”

And throughout his rehab, Morgan, capped 32 times by England, said he remained focussed on making national coach Stuart Lancaster’s party for the biggest tournament in rugby union.

“I never ruled the World Cup out, it was great to have that in my mind, I’ve worked hard and I’m here at the moment.”

SHAUN KNIGHT has switched from Gloucester rugby to Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 25-year-old prop, son of former Gloucester player Adrian, is a product of the Matson club who came through the Gloucester academy system.

As well as making 77 competitive appearances for the club, he featured in two Junior World Championships for England U20s in 2009 and 2010.

However, he found playing opportunities difficult to come by last season behind the experienced international duo of John Afoa and Sila Puafisi, and the quest for more regular rugby has prompted the move to Rodney Parade.