Vickery has played down fears that his career could be over

The 30-year-old, who left Gloucester earlier this month after 11 years, is recovering from a third back operation.

But the World Cup winner is confident the problem will not end his career.

"My priority is to regain full fitness. I've got a rehab programme to complete with the aim of taking a full part in pre-season training," he said.

"I think Wasps' conditioning and medical staff are fantastically professional and confident - like I am - that I will be able to do that.

"Rick Nelson, my specialist, said to me there is no reason why I should retire from the game because my back is in good shape.

The club sells itself as far as what it has achieved in recent times Phil Vickery

"I've come along open and honest. I've not tried to trick anybody. I've tried to do everything the Wasps boys have asked of me and they are as excited as me about the future I've got at the club."

The injury-plagued Vickery has had three back operations in the last four years and on Monday he revealed that the latest problem may end his career.

He has not played since January but the Wasps medical team insist the signing is not a gamble.

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"Having undertaken a full medical we are extremely confident that Phil will return to full fitness and make a huge contribution to the success of the Wasps squad," said physio Roger Knibbs.

The injury helped to bring an end to his Gloucester career, with the Kingsholm club wanting to renegotiate his contract and "spread the risk more evenly" between Vickery and themselves.

Vickery has a oriental tatoo which translates as 'I'll fight you to the death'

But Vickery, who has 47 England caps, also believes the time was right to move on.

"I spent 11 years at Gloucester and it has been a fantastic place for me. It has been somewhere that has been my life as well as my rugby," he said.

"But I think there comes a point in everyone's career when you need to look for new challenges.

"As far as moving to club that has got ambition, you can't get any better than Wasps.

"To be honest, the club sells itself as far as what it has achieved in recent times. It is all very exciting and it is something I want to be a part of."

Vickery's ability in the tight as well as the loose made him a favourite at Kingsholm and Wasps forwards coach Craig Dowd is looking forward to meeting up with the highly-regarded tight-head.

"I'm very excited about working with Phil," Dowd said. "His run of injury has cost him his title as the best in the world, but at Wasps we are looking forward to getting him back to a position where he can compete to regain that title.

"At some stage every prop has had a bad back. Phil has come to the right club to be looked after and managed. We have every intent of getting him 100% fit."