2009-05-28 13:11:03 -

TOULON, France (AP) - Jonny Wilkinson believes his injury concerns are behind him and says he will be fully fit to start the season with new club Toulon when France's Top 14 kicks off again in August.
The 30-year-old flyhalf has been hit by various injuries since kicking the winning drop goal for England against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final. But having moved to the ambitious French team Toulon after 12 years with the Newcastle Falcons, he says he's made a perfect recovery after dislocating his knee in October.
«I've no doubt I'll be absolutely ready to go,» Wilkinson said on Toulon's Web site. «I'll be a better player for the time I've had away; to learn, to think, to get an idea about where it is I want to go with my rugby.
Wilkinson, who could make his Toulon debut on either Aug. 15-16, hopes to win his place back in England's team.
«I've actually had way more time than I need _ plenty of extra months to get ready, so I've taken the time to make sure I'm as fit as I can possibly be,» Wilkinson said.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal made Wilkinson a priority signing _ despite his injury problems _ as part of a massive recruitment drive with several other big names coming down to the south coast.
Wilkinson is expected to form a halfback pairing with France's 2007 World Cup scrumhalf, Pierre Mignoni, while other signings include Sebastien Bruno, Rory Lamont, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Tim Ryan, Felipe Contepomi and Jamie Robinson.
Wilkinson said «the spirit here, the passion for the game, the squad, the team, the coaches, the ambition, the vision,» were all factors that persuaded him to try French rugby.
He now hopes he can use his vast experience «to create a fantastic team» and further improve his own game.

«I have always wanted to be the best I can be. I've wanted to give as much as I can to a team, to learn, to develop, to improve,» Wilkinson said.
At the 2007 World Cup, he led England to the final against the odds. England lost the final to South Africa, but Wilkinson's clinical kicking in a tense semifinal against host France at Stade de France showed he still could perform at the highest level.