Barkley: Long recovery ahead

The England international was hurt during Bath's Premiership defeat against Gloucester when he collided with team-mate Butch James.

And although the 29-year-old has now dispensed with his crutches, he accepts there is still a long recovery road ahead.

"I had a rehab block in Italy, where I got two weeks' rehab in one, and I did a bit of heavy leg pressing today, although I think I bit off more than I could chew," he said.

"But my crutches have gone and I'm going on holiday on Sunday, hopefully pain-free. I'm getting there slowly.

"I honestly don't look further than a week or two ahead.

"I restructure my weights programme every four weeks and my rehab every two weeks. I'll do those blocks, then move on to the next one and see how it goes.

"I've obviously got a weakness in my fibula now, with two callouses growing over the breaks. I've got time now to strengthen it up. I will see what happens."

Barkley has thrown himself into organising his Eletrik3 rugby academy, raising funds for his chosen charity, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

Bath rugby director Sir Ian McGeechan and England squad members Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan and Luke Narraway are among those who have offered their services over three days in Bristol from July 22-24.

Barkley, who has won 23 caps, added: "You can be at home and thinking an awful lot about how long the (recovery from) injury might take, or how good or bad you might be when you come back.

"Those times when I might have thought about that have been taken up with press launches or sorting out kit, all the things I'm not used to."