Rugby World Cup
England 'optimistic' over Moody
ESPNscrum Staff
August 9, 2011
Lewis Moody limps off, England vs Wales, Twickenham, England, August 6, 2011
Lewis Moody was injured during England's victory over Wales last weekend © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Lewis Moody
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England are 'optimistic' that skipper Lewis Moody will be fit to take his place in their Rugby World Cup squad after the Bath flanker was diagnosed with a mild strain of the medial ligament in his right knee.

The 33-year-old underwent a scan on Monday, having sustained the injury in a clash with team-mate Tom Palmer during England's 23-19 World Cup warm-up victory over Wales last Saturday.

No target date has been set for Moody's return to action by the England medics, but scrum coach Graham Rowntree confirmed that they would give him all the time he needs.

Moody was making his international return after missing the Six Nations, having damaged the same knee playing for Bath in January.

England face two more World Cup warm-up fixtures - against Wales this weekend and then Ireland - before their opening World Cup match against Argentina on September 10 in Dunedin.

"Is it realistic he will be on the plane? It is too early to say with that injury," said England's scrum coach Graham Rowntree."It is a mild strain, not a bad strain, which gives us hope.

"We will see how he develops over the next few days. He hurt his knee in January. On Saturday night he was optimistic he would get better. We have to see how he will go with the medics. We will take it week by week. We don't have to do any more than that."

Moody will not feature against Wales on Saturday, nor will prop Andrew Sheridan, who continues his recovery from a shoulder operation.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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