STEPHEN WILD is ready to sacrifice his England Four Nations claims to go under the knife.

The 28-year-old back-row forward has been one of the Giants’ most consistent performers this season and again scooped the club’s Top Tackler award.

But the former Wigan ace has revealed he is to have an operation on his right knee as soon as Huddersfield’s season has come to an end – even though he’s expected to be in the frame to be named in England’s initial squad for this autumn’s international season.

“The main priority as soon as our season comes to an end is to get my knee sorted and, to be honest, I’ve not given any thought to playing for England,” said Wild, pictured above.

“Obviously, it’s nice to be considered, but I’d rather get the repairs done to guarantee I’m right for next season. Playing on once the League season is over could result in more damage to the knee, and that’s the last thing I want.

“It’s all been arranged so I can have the surgery as soon as our season is over, and I’ll be glad when it’s done.

“It’s a while now since I picked the injury up – it was Leeds away (on June 14) – and I’ll be having scans to make sure I’ve not suffered any more damage since then.

“But, hopefully, it’s not too bad and the surgery is pretty straight forward. While they’re at it, they might also do the left knee, because that’s pretty knackered, too!”

Yet even though Wild is looking forward to having the knee – or knees! – repaired, he’s still hoping to have to wait a few more weeks before the work is carried out.

“Ideally, I’ll have the operation after October 10! (the day of the Super League Grand Final),” he added.

“It’s going to be tough getting there, because you have to beat some quality sides to do it.

“That was also the case when we reached the Challenge Cup final at Wembley. To get there we had to beat St Helens, so we know we have it in us to go all the way to Old Trafford.

“But first, there’s the small matter of Wigan tomorrow.

“It’s always special for me and a number of the boys to play them, because it’s our former club and a few of us still live in the town.

“But it’s even more important this week as we need to put together a quality performance and take some form in the play-offs.That’s vital.”