England’s Lewis Moody is expected to be fit for All Blacks Test
England is enjoying a huge boost ahead of the autumn internationals after receiving the news that team captain Lewis Moody is expected to be fit to play against New Zealand in the first of England’s November Tests.
The flanker was expected to miss the games after injuring his eye socket in Gloucester’s win over Bath in the Aviva Premiership.
England manager Martin Johnson said, "Lewis is pretty good. We anticipate him being fit for rugby [in time for the New Zealand game]."
Moody was also positive about playing, saying, "Hopefully, I will be fit, as I will be very frustrated if I miss the New Zealand game."
The forward is expected to be released from the England training camp prior to the match in order to prove his fitness in a club match between Bath and Harlequins on 31 October.
If the player suffers no reaction to the injury, he is expected to lead England out against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Johnson is hopeful that his captain may be able to feature this weekend in the Aviva Premiership match between Bath and Moody’s former club Leicester.
"I don't know if he will play this week. It's touch and go, but he will possibly play the week after."
Johnson also suggested that England needs to face the southern hemisphere teams and was looking forward to the games against New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and South Africa.
"You have to play the best in the world if you want to challenge. The team is going in the right direction."
Moody replaced Steve Borthwick as captain after the 2010 Six Nations and since then, the 32-year-old has led England impressively.
The side has played well on their summer tour and Moody has shown the kind of performances that Johnson would want from his captain.
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