England centre Rachael Burford has insisted she will not rush her recovery from a serious knee injury as she looks to peak in time for this summer’s Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The 26-year-old, from Medway, has been out of action since September after suffering severe knee ligament damage.

Burford (pictured) has been named in England’s 17-strong training squad for the sevens showpiece in Russia, which starts on June 28.

This year’s World Cup will be the last in its present format, before rugby sevens joins the Olympic programme in 2016.

She said: "I’m close to getting back. I’m not going to rush it because there’s a lot in the pipeline for 2013.

"I’m going to be sensible. I’ve got the best care and I’m getting the knee as strong as possible.

"My ultimate goal in 2013 is the Sevens World Cup. That’s my priority for the next six months.

"There’s no pressure on me to get back at a specific time. I don’t just need to be back, I need to be firing."

In rugby’s regular 15-a-side format, Burford helped England to a seventh straight Six Nations crown in 2012 but her injury ruled her out of the 3-0 winter series win over New Zealand.