England full-back Ben Foden hopeful of making Rugby World Cup squad

Northampton Saints full-back Ben Foden has revealed that he is hopeful of being included in England's Rugby World Cup squad after returning to fitness.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since January with a ruptured left anterior cruciate ligament.

Despite lacking match practice, Foden insists that he is ready to be part of coach Stuart Lancaster's plans for the tournament later this year.

"I'm ready hopefully for when that call comes from Stuart Lancaster to join the team," he told BBC Sport. "Our pre-season started last Monday, so I've been in and done everything that everyone else has done.

"I'm not the fittest obviously, having not run for six months, but I'm getting there. The lungs are slowly returning and my body's getting used to the hard work."

Foden has been capped 34 times for England.