Henson faces a battle to regain his Wales place

Henson, 25, has not played since January because of a knee injury, and will not feature again this season.

"I missed out on the last World Cup which was disappointing as I was playing well, and I don't want to miss out this time," said the Ospreys man.

"I haven't been playing that much so I'd understand if I wasn't selected, but feel I've got time to make it."

Henson had been targeting a return to action in time for the EDF Energy Cup final against Leicester on 15 April, but those hopes were dashed last week when he suffered a recurrence of the knee ligament injury in training.

He now faces another six-week rehabilitation period, raising doubts over his availability for Wales' two-Test tour of Australia at the end of May.

I would like the 2007 World Cup to be the start of Gavin Henson's career... I like the sound of that Gavin Henson

"It has been a frustrating season with injuries," Henson, who has played just 18 games this season, told BBC Wales Sport's Scrum V programme.

"They haven't been anything major and I don't see myself as injury prone, but sometimes you just have to let your body get over them and listen to the physio.

"It has been a stop-start season, as it was last year, and it has been a terrible two years for me on the field."

Henson's career has stalled since the highs of the 2005, where his performances in Wales' Grand Slam win were rewarded with selection for the ill-fated Lions tour to New Zealand.

He accepts that recent performances have not lived up to expectations, and has no complaints over the press criticism.

"I get frustrated with myself and I set standards for myself, and when I don't reach them I get down. So yes, I do care," he said.

"I don't think I've been playing terribly, I just think I've been trying to get by without making too many mistakes.

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"I haven't been expressing myself on the pitch because we have so many world class players [at the Ospreys], but hopefully I can come back stronger and start to stand out."

Steve Hansen's decision to omit Henson from Wales' 2003 World Cup squad still rankles Henson.

And although he says missing out on selection this time would be understandable given his lack of game time, Henson has pinned his hopes on playing at rugby's showpiece tournament in September.

"I felt I deserved to go to the last World Cup," added Henson, who revealed he wants to stay at the Ospreys until the end of his career.

"I was the best player in Wales and I was bitter and hurt to miss out.

"This time around the circumstances are different, and it is up to [Wales coach] Gareth Jenkins whether or not he wants to take me.

"Hopefully he will and I can be a bit of wildcard for him.