ENGLAND were last night finally offered some encouraging news on the injury front when Wasps predicted that Simon Shaw should be available to face Argentina.

Shaw is on course to make his first appearance since the Lions tour in Sunday’s Guinness Premiership clash with Leeds after recovering from a metatarsal injury.

The 36-year-old was omitted from England’s senior squad for the autumn series against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand to enable Martin Johnson to secure cover at second row.

But Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks insisted that should Shaw emerge unscathed from matches against Leeds and London Irish a week later, England must pick him to face the Pumas on November 14.

‘‘Simon should be back for Leeds, if he comes through this week.

“He’s been working hard and looks ready to go,’’ said Hanks.

‘‘England will be looking at him. He hasn’t played since the Lions and they say you’re only as good as your last game, so he’s in a nice spot at the moment.

‘‘That was a while back though and Simon himself feels he needs to get some rugby under his belt. Seeing him back in an England jersey would be great.

‘‘If he comes through the next two weeks feeling like he’s ready, then you put him in because he’ll be ready.’’ A report over the weekend claimed that fly-half Danny Cipriani, who is recovering from a fractured fibula, and leading try-scorer Tom Varndell had been blacklisted by manager Martin Johnson because of character flaws.

But Hanks denied any knowledge that the duo had fallen out of favour, saying: ‘‘In the conversations I’ve had with England there was no talk of a blacklist.’’