Tom Wood has promised to use his disappointment for good © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Wood injury keeps medics guessing

Players/Officials: Tom Wood

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: England | Northampton Saints

England flanker Tom Wood has spoken of his disappointment at being ruled out of the opening games of the Six Nations with a foot injury.

The Northampton back-rower will miss England's clashes with Scotland and Italy, having been mentioned as captaincy material prior to his enforced four-week lay-off. Wood will wear a protective boot to aid his recovery from the injury, which was sustained during a training session with the Saints.

"This cuts pretty deep, because it's an exciting time for English rugby at the moment," Wood told The Daily Telegraph. "It would be good to have been part of that, to have a real fresh start.

"The injury is one I've been trying to manage for a while, but it needs rest to avoid any operations further down the line. So the foot's going to be in this boot for the next few weeks, immobilised, to give it the best chance of healing.

"One day in November, I changed direction in training and felt what I thought was a tear. It was awkward. I've been in and out of the boot, managing my load and having the odd weekend off. But it's just getting a bit too much now."

Wood admitted that he has been struggling with the nature of the problem, but insisted that he would put any negativity to good use as he targets a return to the team.

"Most injuries are fairly cut and dried," he said. "It's a broken bone, you're put in a cast and given a timeframe. But with this, there isn't a right or wrong. There's no definitive answer. I'm not particularly good at dealing with it under the surface. I get wound up easily.

"I can see all the common sense and logic in what the doctors tell me, but from a personal point of view I'm desperate to play. I don't want to miss any games, never mind big Six Nations ones. It has definitely rattled me. But I think I channel it in the right way eventually, to get the best out of myself.

"For example, I've hurt my foot, but I'll make sure I make some gains in other areas: whether in strength in the gym, overall conditioning, or shoulder stability. I use the anger and put it to good use. I'll take it out on the punch bag in the weights room."