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Cueto is a man on a mission

Jenny Dixon
7/ 2/2007

SHARKS' winger Mark Cueto is on a mission to get back into the England team before the end of the RBS Six Nations.

The 27-year-old has been training in London with the England Saxons this week in a bid to get match fit after two months out with a calf injury.

Cueto explained: "I was originally named in the main England squad, but because I've been injured for such a long time it is tough to throw me straight back in.

"I need to get some games under my belt, and as there are no Premiership games this weekend this [playing with Saxons] is the only way."

Cueto is hoping that playing two games - for Saxons against Ireland A on Friday, and for Sharks against London Wasps on February 18 - will put him back in contention for a place in Brian Ashton's squad.

"Fingers crossed if I play this week and the following week I'll be sticking my hand up for selection," he said.

Cueto, who has 18 international caps, was sidelined with an abductor muscle injury during Sharks' Heineken Cup match at Stade Francais in December, but his recovery was hampered by a calf tear, sustained in training.

"It was a weird injury," added Cueto. "It felt relatively pain free, strong and stable, but as soon as I went to run on it it broke down. It's been quite difficult to get it right."

While Cueto battled his way back to fitness he witnessed Sharks' injury-ravaged side lose four out of five Premiership matches and, on Saturday, watched the resurgence of floundering England with a 42-20 victory against Scotland.

Not easy for an ambitious player keen to build on his international try-tally of 13, four of which were scored in Cueto's first three matches for England.