BEN CURRIE is ready to rock in the World Cup just weeks after fearing his career could be over.
Warrington’s uncapped back-rower was as shocked as anyone when Wayne Bennett named him in England’s 24-man squad — having played just four games in 2017.
Currie missed ten months after ripping the anterior ligament off the bone in his left knee last September.
And he feared another injury to the same knee in only his second comeback match would KO any hopes of a seat on the plane to Oz this winter.
Currie, 23, said: “I never thought I’d be in after a tough year when I’ve not played too many games.
“But Wayne and the coaching staff showed great faith in me to keep me within touching distance.
“This year’s scare was the same knee. I pivoted a bit and stretched the ligament slightly but I thought I’d done the same thing again.
“That night my knee swelled up just like it did the original time so I thought I had no chance.
“But the specialist in London said I’d be OK in a couple of weeks and there was no major damage.
“He said not to worry about it, just rehab it for a couple of weeks. That was my ‘good news day’.
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“The only way of getting picked for this squad was to play so I started the last couple of games and my knee was fine. I played two lots of 80 minutes so I showed that I’m fit and I’m ready to go.
“The last couple of years have been a learning experience. I’ve become a lot stronger mentally as in sport you’ll never face anything as difficult as being injured for a long period.
“It’s hard watching your team-mates when you can’t do anything about it. I just wanted to be out there.”
Currie made his name as a back-rower but talk is growing that he will line up at centre in England’s World Cup opener against Australia in Melbourne on October 27.
He added: “I’m happy to play anywhere just to get on the field.
“I’ve covered a lot of positions with Warrington. I prefer back row but I really like playing centre as well.
“I’ve got speed and I’ve kept it after my knee injury, so that maybe makes me stand out a bit from other back-rowers.
“I’d be happy to get a game but my target is making the team for the first game against Australia as then I’d be fighting to keep my place for the rest of the World Cup.
“I don’t just want to be drafted in for one game. I want to play in as many games as possible.”
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