Injury-plagued Jonny Wilkinson believes he will recover from a dislocated knee in time to force his way back into the England side at the Six Nations which gets underway in February.

The 29-year-old fly-half, international rugby union's record points-scorer, suffered his latest injury in September.

But the World Cup winner told the BBC on Thursday: "I'd like to think I could come back (for the Six Nations). I'm always positive.

"I'm waiting to properly move around, which should be around January time."

In Wilkinson's absence, Martin Johnson's England suffered three defeats in November at the hands of southern hemisphere giants Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood played in Wilkinson's fly-half position, with neither man stamping his authority.

Wilkinson, who played with Johnson at the successful 2003 World Cup, said the new manager needs time to turn around the national team's fortunes.

"To think someone is going to achieve straight away without going through a period of learning and adjustment is ridiculous. Johnno is such a clever, astute guy that he will pick up on that learning very quickly," he said.

"I trust the system, I trust Martin Johnson, I trust the coaches and the players."

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