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England coach Martin Johnson says he is confident Nick Easter will play some part in what remains of the World Cup, despite a back injury.
The Harlequins ace has been dogged by the injury since the Pool win against Argentina and missed last Sunday's clash with Georgia as a result.
The number eight has been ruled out of this weekend's game with Romania and there had been some doubts as to whether he'd play again in the tournament.
Leicester's Thomas Waldrom has been placed on stand-by in case Easter has to drop out of the World Cup completely.
However, Johnson is hopeful it won't come to that and expects Easter to play again, potentially in the game against Scotland on 1st January.
"We're hoping he'll be good to go next week, the signs are he will be," said Johnson. "It looks good but these things are day to day. We've got to [make a decision] after the game.
"I think Nick will be OK. He's desperate to get back and play but we'll see how it progresses over the next 48 hours."
James Haskell will start at number eight in the absence of Easter for the game against Romania, a clash England are1.90 to win with a -52.0 point handicap.
England are 11.00to win the World Cup outright.
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