Shamed England prop Matt Stevens has vowed to be in the best possible shape as he bids to return from a drugs ban to play in the 2011 World Cup.

The former Bath star was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine in December 2008, but he has lined up a deal with Saracens to start in January 2011.

And the 27-year-old hopes to make it to the New Zealand showpiece later in the year.

Stevens told the BBC: “For my own sanity that has got to be the goal.

“I’d like to play in the next World Cup but obviously there’s a lot against me.

“But I’ll be prepared and hopefully with the training I’m doing right now I will be in a position that I will be in the best shape of my life, so I’m going to give it every chance I can.”

Stevens has won 32 caps since his international debut in 2003 against New Zealand.