Hill ready for uphill battle

By Rob Lancaster  

Hill ready for uphill battle

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Richard Hill is refusing to set a date for his comeback as he continues his recovery from a serious knee problem.

The Saracens flanker has missed the entire 2005/06 campaign after getting injured at the start of the Lions tour to New Zealand.

He recently had an operation on the knee, meaning he was unable to play in his testimonial match against a World XV at Vicarage Road on May 21.

However, Hill is still confident he will be back in action next season, although he's not sure when exactly he will be ready to play again.

"We are setting absolutely no deadlines, I'll just take it as it comes," he told Sky Sports News.

"I'm going to stick working to a very slow programme with the Saracens medical team over the summer.

"I'd love to be able to set a date and run onto a rugby pitch at the start of next season.

"But we'll have to take it step-by-step and see how it pans out over the summer."

Hill's return to action next season could come in time for the 32-year-old to be considered for England's squad for next year's World Cup.

But the three-time Lion insists he is not even contemplating playing international rugby again while he is still out of action.

"The way the season has gone I've absolutely no thoughts about England," he said.

"I'm just concentrating on my rehabilitation and getting back to playing rugby.