Gloucester centre Mark Atkinson is targeting a return to first-team action towards the end of September.

The 33-year-old, who missed much of last season with a serious knee injury, is hoping to get a run-out in a couple of the Premiership Rugby Cup games, which precede the start of the league campaign in mid-October.

Atkinson, who has just been awarded a testimonial year to celebrate his contribution to Gloucester, hasn’t played since being forced off in a Premiership game at Bath in October last year.

It’s been a long journey back for the one-cap England player but he told The Local Answer: “I’m getting there, I’m doing a lot of training with the team.

“If there was a game this weekend I don’t think I’d get ticked off by the physios but I’m hoping to be involved in the latter stages of the Premiership Cup.”

Atkinson, who joined Gloucester at the start of the 2014/15 season, has been playing top-level rugby since 2008 and this is the longest he has ever been sidelined.

“I’ve been out for three or four months two or three times but I’ve never had anything like this,” he said.

“You definitely have your ups and downs, I think it’s more manageable if it’s three or four months. If you’re out for 14, 15, 16 weeks, then you can still get back before the end of the season.

“The physios did tell me that one of the harder things for me to deal with would be that other players who get injured after me would be back playing before me.”

Atkinson is counting down the days to when he’s able to run out at Kingsholm in a cherry and white shirt again and when he does he’s sure to remember all the people who have helped him through the tough times.

“I have to say the physios have been absolutely brilliant,” he said. “And my wife Lydia and young daughter Sydney have been amazing too, they have given me something to focus on, a real purpose.”

Atkinson, who lives in Cheltenham, now has his testimonial year to focus on as well, of course, with the first event, entitled RWC 2003 Rewind, taking place at the end of this month.

And a big event it is too with Gloucester greats Phil Vickery and Mike Tindall reflecting on that incredible day almost 20 years ago when Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop-kick clinched World Cup glory for England.

The England legends will also be looking ahead to this year’s World Cup, which gets under way in September.

The event, which will be supporting Atkinson’s chosen charities 4Ed and Hope for Tomorrow, takes place at the Bacon Theatre at Dean Close School, Cheltenham, on Tuesday 29^th August. The doors open at 6.30pm and the event runs from 7pm-10.30pm. Tickets cost £25. To book, visit https://bacontheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873638085