Gavin Henson has set his sights on a Wales recall after agreeing a deal with Aviva Premiership side Saracens.

Henson ended an 18-month spell in the wilderness by signing for Sarries following his release by the Ospreys and believes that he has 'eight to 10 years' of rugby left in him.

"I would like to think the best is yet to come from me - that is why I have got back in the game," he said. "I have done all right in the past, but I think I can play the game a lot better than what I have done. That is what drives me.

"I want to get back in there, I want to be a big name and regarded as a great player, so I have got a lot of work to do. I am 28 now and I do look after myself. I hope I can play rugby for another eight to 10 years, and I want every honour there is. I want to win things and be as good as I can be."

Henson admitted that his preference to return with a London club tied in with off field opportunities but is confident that a return to top form would see Wales come knocking.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has been reluctant to select England-based players in recent months, leaving Wasps' Andy Powell and Sale's Dwayne Peel out of his squad for the autumn internationals, and also hinted that they may struggle to influence his World Cup plans due to player-release issues.

"I was looking to get back into rugby and I wanted to be at a London club because I have opportunities off the field in rugby, so I thought it was best to be around here where I am not so well recognised," Henson said.

"I am pretty confident that if I am playing well and getting into the Saracens team then international honours will follow, irrespective of where I am playing. I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem, but we will have to see.

"I don't think anyone from the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) has spoken to my agent saying that if I go to England then I won't be able play for Wales. If I am playing really well and I am top of my game, it would be hard for them to leave me out.

"Saracens know my desire to play for Wales again is really strong. That is basically why I got back into rugby, because I missed playing for my country, so they won't stand in my way because they know how keen I am to play for Wales."

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis was optimistic that Henson would be available for Wales' Six Nations campaign and the entirety of Wales' build up for next year's World Cup. Lewis suggested that due to a short-term contract the centre would not be affected by the disagreement over the release of Welsh players playing in the Premiership prior to the World Cup.

"I have always said that my first choice would be to see Gavin playing for the Ospreys and if that wasn't the case then get him to play for a region in Wales - that wasn't possible either so let's get him playing rugby and if he is playing rugby he will be in the frame to be in contention for playing for Wales," he told BBC Sport.

"I understand that Gavin has signed a contract until the end of the season, May 29th, while we play our first game on June 4th so he will be available for work with the squad and there will be no issue there."