Jonny Wilkinson has revealed his desire to play in England's two remaining games in the RBS 6 Nations, but insists the decision to return to the international fold is entirely out of his hands.

The World Cup-winning fly-half has endured an injury-ravaged season, having suffered neck and shoulder injuries before missing the start of the Six Nations tournament with a knee problem.

Wilkinson is back in training with Newcastle and feels he is ready to lend England a hand as they bid to and avoid the wooden spoon with victories over Italy and Scotland.

Rob Andrew, Wilkinson's boss at the Falcons, claims selecting his prized asset for the remaining fixtures would be ''irresponsible'' if he had not played club rugby first.

Wilkinson is not about to put any pressure on the England management to select him.

''The best thing I can do is to get fit and say 'look I am fit and ready to go','' he said.

''That's really as far as I can go on it. I know that whatever happens, the right decision will be made and the pressure won't be on me to make it.

''I am physically more or less back to normal.

''If I was fit I would be happy to play either or both of the two games.

"It's out of my control but all I want to do is make sure that I can play.''

Wilkinson's ability to knock over pressure kicks has been sorely missed by Andy Robinson's side.

Charlie Hodgson has been given the unenviable task of replacing him at fly-half but the Sale No 10 has failed to deliver at crunch times, particularly when England imploded in the 18-17 defeat to France at Twickenham.

Hodgson certainly made amends with an improved display in the narrow loss to Ireland - and Wilkinson has given his full backing to his under-fire team-mate.

''Charlie Hodgson played well at the weekend and a lot of the guys really performed great, but unfortunately we did not get a better result.

''Charlie played very well against France and did not deserve the criticism afterwards.

''There have been times in my career where I played very badly but did not get that much criticism.

''The comments about him after the match were very severe but he reacted well and he proved very strong against Ireland.''

Despite being unable to take part in the Six Nations on the field, Wilkinson has remained very much part of Robinson's plans off it.

He feels that positives can be taken from England's three successive losses, which added to their reverse against France in the final game of last year's Six Nations, makes it their worst run in the competition since 1987.

''I spent time with the team prior to each game. The way they performed, especially in the Ireland game, was fantastic.

''Their enthusiasm and the level of professionalism they've maintained makes me eager to get back into this squad again.

''I have been frustrated a lot but there is nothing you can do. I wanted to be out there, I wanted to be on the field and try out things.''

Wilkinson admits the whole season has been one of frustration - with dismay turning to absolute dejection when doctors told him his career was hanging in the balance as a result of his shoulder problem.

''It was particularly tough following my neck injury,'' he added.

''When the doctors said I might not be able to play again, it was very worrying. I understood it was no joke.

''Last year was a very difficult time of my career.

''But I moved forward and got better. What helped me a lot before my knee injury is that I felt I was playing better.

''I knew that even though I could not play I would still be able to re-find my top form.

''I have always been a great believer in training and preparing harder.

"Every time I'd train I would try to find a difference or an improvement somewhere and that would keep me going, even though the improvement in question was very small.

''I also found hobbies such as learning French as well as learning how to play the piano and the guitar. Those things kept me going.'