JONNY May is confident bright days are ahead of him after closing the chapter on a “dark time” in his career.

Last week, 26-year-old May was confirmed in the England squad for this autumn’s international Test matches at Twickenham after almost 10 months out of the game because of injury.

The Chiseldon-born winger last played for his country during the disappointing World Cup campaign in 2015, having been on the sidelines pretty much ever since.

May ruptured a knee ligament in a Premiership match for Gloucester against Harlequins last December, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2015/16 season.

He only returned to action at for the Cherry and Whites at the end of October but England head coach Eddie Jones is clearly convinced he is already ready for international rugby.

May’s absence meant he missed England’s return to form under Jones, with the team currently on nine-match winning streak following the Six Nations triumph and 3-0 series win in Australia.

The-26-year-old admits being sidelined for so long was tough and he is just glad to be back in an England camp on the up.

“It’s definitely the toughest thing I’ve been through in terms of what I have had to deal with in my rugby career,” said May, who has 30 England caps to his name as well as six tries.

“It was tough and there were some dark times but I am still confident that my best days are ahead of me.

“I wasn’t at all jealous of not being involved, I was genuinely really pleased for that group of players to have gone through what was such a disappointing World Cup to turn it around.”

The England squad are preparing for the opening game of the autumn series against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, November 12.

As well as South Africa, England also play host to Fiji, Argentina and Australia on consecutive weekends this winter, culminating in the match against the Wallabies on Saturday, December 3.

England have not beaten the Springboks for a decade and May says there is no shortage of hunger in the camp.

“Eddie has obviously had a huge impact positively on the group. He made it clear to us that nobody in our squad has beaten South Africa,” said May.

“We haven’t won against them since 2006 so even though, for them, they might have had a disappointing season so far, for them to come and beat England would turn it all around, so it’s huge motivation for them and equally for us.”