Barkley missed 10 weeks of the season with a thumb injury

Barkley missed the Six Nations with a thumb injury but returned to star in Bath's 15-12 Heineken Cup win over Leicester on Saturday.

"I hope, selection and form permitting, I will be going on the summer tour," said 16 times-capped Barkley.

"I would like to go and I am just glad I have got a game like a Heineken Cup quarter-final under my belt."

Barkley, 24, was fancied to wear the England number 12 shirt for this season's Six Nations campaign before undergoing surgery for a thumb injury which kept him out for 10 weeks.

The struggling world champions lost three successive Tests and finished in fourth place in the table.

"It was frustrating watching the Six Nations," said Barkley, who has just signed a new contract to stay at Bath until the end of the 2007/08 season.

"But I have put that behind me now, as I am sure most of the guys have. I am gagging to play, whether it is in a Bath or an England jersey.

"I thought I might not be back for another two weeks, but the decision was made on Wednesday afternoon that I would play against Leicester."