Shaw fit to face Pumas

BBC Sports - Thursday, October 29, 2009 4:34 PM

Injury-hit England have been boosted by the news that Simon Shaw could be fit to face Argentina on 14 November in the second of the autumn internationals.

The Wasps second row, 36, returned to training this week after a foot injury and hopes to face Leeds on Sunday and London Irish the week after.

"England will be looking at him," said Wasps coach Tony Hanks.

"With most players you'd say two games wouldn't be enough, but Simon Shaw is not a normal player."

England boss Martin Johnson has lost nearly 20 players because of injury for the three November Tests, against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

Johnson called up uncapped locks Richard Blaze and Courtney Lawes on Monday when he revamped his squad but Hanks says England will be delighted to see Shaw back in action.

The 6ft 8in lock was one of the stand-out performers on the British and Irish Lions of South Africa but has not played since the third Test on 4 July.

"You're only as good as your last game, so he's in a nice spot at the moment," said Hanks.

"That was a while back, though, and Simon himself feels he needs to get some rugby under his belt. Seeing him back in an England jersey would be great.

"If he comes through the next two weeks feeling like he's ready, then you put him in because he'll be ready."