THE World Cup hopes of Bath playmaker Mike Catt took a nosedive last night after England coach Clive Woodward admitted his chances of making it into his 30-man squad were "pretty slim.''

Woodward revealed both Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Catt are unlikely to be fit in time to feature in autumn's global showpiece in Australia.

Both players would almost certainly have made the final 30-man squad to be announced on September 8 but are struggling to shake off long-term injuries.

Catt, who can also play at No 10, has been plagued by hamstring and back injuries and made only 14 appearances for Bath last season. He has not featured for England since November.

Sale playmaker Hodgson, 22, had been lined up as cover for Jonny Wilkinson but suffered knee damage in the Six Nations win over Italy ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Woodward said: "I'm still talking to Mike Catt but I need to see him. I'm hoping to watch him play on August 16 in either the Middlesex Sevens or in a friendly for Bath.

"Charlie Hodgson is the only person who isn't training with us at the moment who could potentially force his way into the squad. But both players' chances are pretty slim.''