- The Exeter and England star is keen to play in the November Test match.
- Henry Slade has revealed he is working to shorten his return from injury.
- The 31-year-old was initially expected to be out of action for up to four months.
England centre Henry Slade has offered his country boss Steve Borthwick a big thumbs up after revealing he plans to be fully fit ahead of four crucial Tests in November.
Last month, Slade’s club Exeter confirmed he had undergone shoulder surgery and would be certain to miss the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said the 31-year-old would be out of action for three to four months, meaning he is likely to miss England’s autumn season as well.
But Slade said on Wednesday he hoped to return to Exeter at some point in October. ‘It’s going well. I had the operation four or five weeks ago, so given my condition, it’s been pretty good,’ Slade said of his recovery from injury.
‘It’s usually a 14-16 week injury, but we’re trying to get it down to 12 weeks. It’s currently week 5.
England centre Henry Slade has revealed he plans to return to full fitness ahead of the blockbuster Test Four in November.
Slade was surprisingly left out of England’s 2023 World Cup squad but has responded impressively.
England manager Steve Borthwick will be encouraged by Slade’s promising inclusion.
‘I’m hoping to get back for a game or two before the autumn. I’m working twice as hard, as hard as I can. Jamie Fulton, the Exeter Chiefs physio, specialises in shoulders so he’s trying to push the boundaries of what he can do as early as possible. I’m working hard and getting the work done. Hopefully I can get back as soon as possible.’
Slade was surprisingly left out of England’s 2023 World Cup squad, but has impressed in the 2023/24 season.
He was named Premiership Player of the Year and returned to Boswick’s side as a key member of the midfield.
His availability for England’s November games against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan is both surprising and certain, and given the player’s experience and form, Borthwick will no doubt be delighted. Slade has continued to battle shoulder problems since initially suffering an injury against Scotland in the Six Nations.
He realised he needed the operation after England finished their summer tour of Japan and New Zealand.
Slade was named Premiership Player of the Year and returned to the England squad, becoming a key member of the midfield.
Fitness expert Aled Walters (pictured left) has given up his role in the England squad along with defensive coach Felix Jones (right).
Slade was appointed England captain by defence coach Felix Jones, who shocked the RFU by deciding to resign after just seven months in the role.
The RFU and Jones are currently discussing how long he will stay on as he has 12 months notice left. With Jones also leaving as fitness coach Aled Walters and Tom Tombleson, Borthwick is in for quite a shake-up.
“The camp seems pretty stable,” Slade said.
‘There’s going to be a lot of change now. I’m sure Steve and the coaches will put together a good team to take the boys forward. There’s not much we can do as players.’
