Italian wing Mirco Bergamasco is confident he will recover from his shoulder injury in time for the start of next year's Six Nations tournament.
Bergamasco recently underwent surgery on his left shoulder and is expected to be sidelined for three months.
Italy's first game is against World Cup runner-up France on February 4.
The Racing Metro player said: "If everything goes well, if I don't have other problems, I think that in three months, maybe three and a half, I'll be back.
"I hope I'll be available for the start of the Six Nations and I will work for that. I hope to come back before to help out my club."
Bergamasco, who has made 85 appearances for his country, played in three of Italy's four World Cup matches.
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