London Wasps back row man Joe Worsley will join the rest of the England squad when they convene on Sunday night to prepare for the RBS Six Nations championship as a like-forlike replacement for clubmate Tom Rees.
England team manager Martin Johnson has confirmed that the 67-times capped Worsley will join the squad as permanent cover for knee victim Rees.
Worsley travelled to Portugal with the rest of the Elite Squad for a pre-tournament training week and now has a shot of playing in the opening round match against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday, 7 February.
The 31-year-old last played for England on the summer tour to New Zealand last year. Johnson is due to name his side on Tuesday.
