Michael Vaughan is not prepared to let ''a little hamstring injury'' crush his dream of leading England at next month's World Cup.
The 32-year-old captain is confident of making a full recovery from the latest setback of his injury-hit career.
Vaughan fully expects to be part of the 15-man party that departs for the Caribbean on March 2, where he will continue his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem.
''A little hamstring injury is not going to stop me from continuing to try to get back,'' he said.
''It's progressing nicely. I'm looking forward to getting on the plane a week on Friday and continuing my rehab out in the Caribbean.''
All being well, Vaughan will make his comeback in two warm-up games ahead of England's World Cup Group C opener against New Zealand on March 16.
The Yorkshire batsman stressed the importance of coming through these two matches unscathed, something he is confident of achieving.
''The two warm-up games against Bermuda and Australia are going to be quite crucial, just to try and play a couple of games, get a bit of match practice.
''I'm looking forward to that first World Cup game against New Zealand.''
Vaughan's hamstring injury limited him to only a bit-part role in England's recent Commonwealth Bank Series success in Australia.
The one-day triangular tournament marked his first senior international appearance since 2005, with a persistent knee injury virtually wiping out his entire 2006.
Vaughan hopes the gods will finally decide to smile on him in the West Indies.
''I just need a little bit of luck. The last year, I haven't had much luck with injuries,'' he said.
''Six months ago, I got told I wouldn't play again. I've come back from that.''
While confident, Vaughan is unable to put an exact figure on his chances of recovery, saying: ''I haven't got a clue about percentages.
"I just know I'm feeling good because of the treatment.
''Hamstrings are a funny injury and you never really know how they're going to react until you go and play a game of cricket.
''But all the medical teams are very confident over the way it's gone in the past week.
''How much of a part I'll play in the first practice game, I'm not too sure.
''I'll certainly need to get out there and have a bat and get some middle practice and try and get some form going into that first game against New Zealand.''
Vaughan admits he is ''desperate'' to return but insists there is no danger of over-extending himself as a result.
''I'm desperate to play but I'm also realistic,'' he said.
''I certainly wouldn't put myself in the position of going to the Caribbean if the medical team hadn't given me their full support and confidence.
He added: ''If I get through the early stages and get my hamstring through recovery, I have no doubt I'll last the whole tournament.''
Vaughan is one of three injured players England have named in their squad, with Lancashire seamer James Anderson (back) and Gloucestershire counterpart Jon Lewis (ankle) also hoping to recover in time.
The selectors have been able to include Vaughan, Anderson and Lewis because the International Cricket Council have changed their stance on injured players for this year's tournament.
Teams can send for replacements providing the technical committee approve the request.
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