By Paul Fletcher

Sculthorpe made the last of his GB appearances in June 2006

Paul Sculthorpe could make a dramatic return to international rugby with England at this year's World Cup.

The St Helens loose forward, 30, quit representative rugby league in July in order to prolong his club career.

But he says he is considering making himself available again, telling BBC Sport: "You never know - it would be great to put myself into contention.

"I think I played my best rugby at international level and I thoroughly enjoyed every single game."

However, Sculthorpe is adamant he must prove his form and fitness with Saints before he can seriously contemplate further international honours.

"If I played at that level I would have to be fully fit and at my best," added the Oldham-born forward, who has been plagued by knee and ankle problems in recent seasons.

"That was one of the reasons why I stepped down as Great Britain skipper. I had struggled for two years and I did not think it was right being captain and not playing.

The 10 years at Saints has passed so quickly, I can still remember the day that I signed Paul Sculthorpe

"My immediate thoughts are to get myself back to top form and fitness with my club, but I would never say never."

This year's World Cup takes place in Australia and kicks off on 25 October, when England face Papua New Guinea in Townsville.

Former Leeds Rhinos and GB coach Tony Smith is now in charge of the England team, who have been drawn in a group that includes defending champions Australia as well as New Zealand and PNG.

Sculthorpe has played four times for England and 26 for Great Britain but never been on the winning side in a series against either Australia or New Zealand.

He became GB skipper in 2005 but played just 18 minutes in 10 Tests because of a knee injury that eventually required reconstructive surgery.

He made a triumphant return for St Helens in February 2007, putting in a man-of-the-match performance in the World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos, but snapped his Achilles tendon during a training session on 8 June.

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It was at that point he decided to end his international involvement, saying it was the hardest decision he had ever had to make.

Sculthorpe trained through the winter as he rehabilitated from his latest injury and is keen to play in his testimonial match against Wakefield on 2 February.

"The latest injury has been the most frustrating," said Sculthorpe, the first player ever to win back-to-back Man of Steel awards.

Sculthorpe has won every major club trophy going with St Helens

"After several operations on my knee I managed to get it sorted and was getting back to playing when I did my Achilles, which was a freak injury."

Sculthorpe joined St Helens from Warrington in 1997 for �370,000, a record deal for a forward at the time.

He has enjoyed a glittering career with the Knowsley Road outfit, winning every piece of available domestic silverware as well as being named Man of Steel in 2001 and 2002.

The testimonial takes place at Knowsley Road and will see him line up against younger brother Danny.

The day will also feature an all-star curtain-raiser involving the likes of Garry Schofield, Chris Joynt and Tommy Martyn.

"I'm very much looking forward to the day," added Sculthorpe.

"The 10 years at Saints has passed so quickly, I can still remember the day that I signed. I went to St Helens to win trophies and I have certainly done that."