Wasps lock Joe Launchbury has targeted a long-awaited return to action when his side take on Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership next month.

The England international has been forced to watch on from the sidelines since October as a result of surgery on his neck, although he is now back in training and counting down the days before he is out on the field once again.

Launchbury also harbours hopes of holding down a World Cup place later this year, which has only made him even more eager to leave his injury hell in the past.

"It's been a long time out of the game, approaching six months now," the 24-year-old is quoted as saying by the Coventry Telegraph. "It's brilliant to get out of the gym and back on the pitch, getting a bit of fresh air with the guys.

"A long injury, especially to the neck, is a gradual process to go through and you need to jump through a few hoops in terms of contact. Each stage I've taken on so far I've passed, so I'm really happy with where I am and hopefully over the next few weeks we can really ramp things up.

"It's always hard to nail down a time, but where I am now I'm really setting my sights on Leicester Tigers at home. It will be a great stage to return to, as well as the fact that it will be a huge game with great importance as well."

As well as taking on Leicester, sixth-placed Wasps also face Exeter Chiefs and London Welsh in their final three games.