MARTIN Johnson has justified his decision to select Jonny Wilkinson for England’s elite squad by claiming the injury-plagued ex-Newcastle fly-half can return from his latest setback better than ever before.

Wilkinson, 30, was included as one of only two dedicated fly-halves in Johnson’s 32-man squad despite not having played for ten months after suffering a dislocated knee-cap.

Danny Cipriani was among those overlooked and Johnson has told the Wasps flyhalf he will only force his way back into the senior team on form.

But Johnson made no apologies for including Wilkinson, who has returned to full training with his new club Toulon.

‘‘How do I justify picking Jonny Wilkinson? Seventy caps, two World Cup finals and x amount of points (1032 in total) – the sort of player you are going to favour slightly!

He is a world-class player when he’s fit,’’ said Johnson.

‘‘I think he can be as good as ever. Experience is a big part of being a good player and he’s only 30 so he could be at his peak because of experience and what he’s been through over the last five, six, seven years.’’ Wilkinson will be fit to start the season with Toulon and the RFU medics were impressed with his condition after undergoing a fitness assesment at Twickenham.