Deacon focused on Leicester form

Deacon started his first game of the season against Wasps

Leicester Tigers lock Louis Deacon says a return to the England set-up is very much on his mind but first he must re-establish himself at club level.

Deacon faced Wasps last week, after nine months out with a back injury.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "I need to get games under my belt and play week in week out before I can start thinking about playing for England.

"But I'd be wrong to say I'd never thought about it. That's why I play rugby - to play at the highest level."

Deacon says he has been impressed with how the England management team have kept in touch during his long lay-off.

"England have been brilliant, keeping any eye on the medical side of things, seeing how I am going," he said.

"It's nice to know I am still in their thoughts.

"Hopefully one day I'll get the call to say 'come down and train with the side' but that will come after playing well for Leicester and that's what I'm aiming to do."

And he said just being part of the club scene again is a massive boost after such a "difficult" spell on the sidelines.

Deacon played the full 80 minutes against Wasps last week.

And although the result was not as the Tigers would have hoped, Deacon was thrilled to be back in action.

You need a bit of confidence after being out for such a long time so I may have been holding back a little

Louis Deacon

"It's brilliant to get on the field after such a long time being out and get some contact," he said. "It's very nice to get rid of those frustrations I've had for the last 10 months.

"I was confident that I would be okay and I wasn't nervous at all until I turned up at the ground and then the nerves set in.

"I can't remember the last time I was nervous before a game but it's always good to have nerves.

"I felt the game went well, I didn't feel too rusty and I enjoyed it.

"You need a bit of confidence after being out for such a long time so I may have been holding back a little but hopefully in the next few games that confidence will come back.

"After the game I had a few bumps and bruises. I was a bit sore because I'm not match-hardened but that will come through playing more."