Like the England team I'm trying to be most professional in my quest to come back fitter and stronger than ever Jonny Wilkinson

Due to a damaged nerve Wilkinson has barely played since guiding England to victory in the Rugby World Cup.

"The operation was a success and the surgeons were brilliant," Wilkinson told The Times newspaper.

"For the first time since I was 16 I will be able to play rugby with no neck pain," added the England fly-half.

He has played just 53 minutes of rugby since his winning drop goal secured victory against Australia on 22 November because of a damaged nerve which he aggravated playing for club side Newcastle.

Following his operation, which cleared out scar tissue round the affected nerve, he flew to Mauritius to rest and work on his general fitness.

"I cannot help to speed the rehabilitation process because it is the nerve that is damaged," he said.

"Unfortunately, it is a situation where getting up earlier, working harder for longer and making sacrifices will not change things.

"Like the England team I'm trying to be most professional in my quest to come back fitter and stronger than ever."

Speaking about being able to play pain-free for the first time in years Wilkinson was understandably enthusiastic.