Saracens prop Mako Vunipola has admitted that he is "looking forward" to the year ahead following a frustrating second half to 2014.

The 23-year-old dislocated his knee during Sarries' defeat to Toulon in May, which forced him to miss the Aviva Premiership final a week later as well as England's tour of New Zealand.

Having finally returned to action earlier this month, Vunipola has now targeted a success-laden year with the World Cup on home soil to come in less than nine months' time.

"It was very frustrating being out injured, but hopefully all that is behind me now," he is quoted as saying by London24. "Getting injured in the Heineken Cup final and then missing out on the Premiership final a week later was pretty disappointing – and then also not being part of England's tour to New Zealand.

"But I looked to use the time out to good effect and the plan was to come back fitter and stronger. Now I am just happy to be back in the first team again and we're all looking forward to 2015.

"We go into the New Year in a good place in all three competitions and, with a World Cup in September, it's going to add to the competition domestically for the rest of this season. But I am not thinking too far ahead, I'll just concentrate on performing well for Saracens."

Vunipola, who has been capped 13 times at international level, is in line to feature against London Irish at Allianz Park this coming weekend.