Jonny Wilkinson says he could make his latest comeback from injury in time to push for an international call when the Six Nations begins in February.
The 29-year-old, international rugby union's record points-scorer despite suffering a series of serious injuries, dislocated his knee in late September.
But he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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."
Despite his optimism, the Newcastle fly-half still requires one further operation to assess how his recovery is progressing.
England endured three bruising defeats in November by southern hemisphere giants Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
They have tried both Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood in Wilkinson's fly-half position, with neither man stamping his authority on the role.
New manager Martin Johnson, a team-mate from the 2003 World Cup-winning squad, has his hands full trying to turn around England's fortunes but Wilkinson insisted that, given time, the former England captain would prove successful.
"I don't say that as helping out someone I know, I genuinely believe it," said Wilkinson.
"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.
"I trust the system, I trust Martin Johnson, I trust the coaches and the players."
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