Alex King will offer his personal congratulations to Jonny Wilkinson when his Wasps side take on England's World Cup hero and his Newcastle side on Saturday.

But the 28-year-old from Brighton intends to rival a player who has become a sporting icon for England's No.10 jersey.

King got 30 minutes of action for Wasps in the Premiership victory over Gloucester as he returned after a two-month injury absence on the eve of the World Cup final against Australia.

The knee problem forced him to withdraw from the World Cup squad when coach Clive Woodward reduced the party from 35 to 30 a month before the start of the tournament.

King said: "Injuries are the bane of players' lives and Jonny's only 24 so he'll have a good few years left before he retires.

"But I'll keep going as long as I can. My body is in pretty good shape. I feel fresh and as long as I'm playing at the top level against the best players in England I've got a chance of national selection.

"My first target is to get back playing regularly for Wasps' first team and playing well and then we'll see what happens. It was fantastic to be playing again. It has been so frustrating.

"I was a bit scared but came through with no problems and we won against one of the top teams in England.

"You've got to do the small things first before you can look at the bigger picture.

"I'll look forward to the Newcastle match. I don't think Jonny will play but I'm sure he'll be there and the atmosphere will be brilliant."

He revealed how England No.8 Lawrence Dallagio, a clubmate at Wasps, gave him a boost after his comeback just hours before the Telstra Stadium showdown.

King said: "Lawrence sent me a text to say 'well done' on getting back playing again. He had his mind on the big game but he still found time to send the message. That meant a lot to me."

King, the former St Christopher's and Brighton College schoolboy, was delighted his exclusive victory prediction in The Argus last Friday came true.

But he admitted: "It was a bit tighter than I thought it would be."

Yet King never thought England would lose even though the hosts twice drew level late on.

He added: "I always felt they'd win it and I'm sure Martin Johnson, the captain, and Clive said to the side before extra time 'Keep believing you can win it'. Clive has led this country's transition to be able to beat the best."

King is delighted with the team's invite to meet the Prime Minister after they received a welcome fit for sporting heroes today.

But he doesn't feel the glory has consigned the efforts of Geoff Hurst, another hero wearing the No.10 shirt, and the rest of England's World Cup football team of 1966 to history.

"You shouldn't take away from those guys' achievements in 1966," said King.

"I hope the increased profile boosts the numbers playing rugby. But what I really hope is that it will inspire people to play sport at the highest level."