LONDON - Danny Cipriani could be set for an earlier than expected return to international rugby after coming back from a serious ankle injury six weeks ahead of schedule.

Although the 20-year-old Cipriani was obviously short of match practice, he started Wasps' Premiership match against Bath on Wednesday and kicked 11 points and created the opening for Riki Flutey's try before being replaced in the 53rd minute.

It was Cipriani's first match since fracturing and dislocating his right ankle in May and his recovery and form suggest he is in line to replace Jonny Wilkinson in England's squad for its November internationals against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Wilkinson sustained the latest in a long line of injuries on Tuesday when he dislocated his knee while playing for Newcastle, ruling him out of England's 32-man elite national squad.

Wilkinson would likely play at inside centre and Cipriani at fly half if both were fit, but Cipriani now looks set to be a direct replacement as the squad's first-choice No. 10.

Before his injury in last season's English playoff semifinals, Cipriani appeared to have overtaken Wilkinson as England's lynchpin.

Cipriani was dropped from his first England start, where he was to play fullback, for a Six Nations match against Scotland in March but was recalled when England lost 15-9 and inspired the team to its subsequent 33-10 win over Ireland.

Wilkinson came on as a replacement in that match, but filled in at Center while Cipriani continued to direct play.

Cipriani has spent his long injury layoff working on all aspects of his game, including his physique, suggesting that he could emulate Wilkinson's destructive tackling if he does make it into the team in place of England's record points scorer.