WOMEN'S rugby starlet Kimberley Oliver is hoping to bounce back from knee surgery next month by forcing her way into the England reckoning in time for the 2006 World Cup.

Things had been getting better and better for Kimberley Oliver, 19, who is a former pupil of John Bentley School in Calne.

Having played rugby for the school until the age of 17 she moved to the rugby academy at Oldfield School in Bath where her talent was further nurtured.

She then joined Bristol-based Premiership side Clifton Ladies and her international career peaked this year when she represented England A against Spain in Barcelona.

However, she suffered a blow at the end of May when she was tackled as she went over to score a try and suffered an injury that doctors confirmed as ruptured cruciate knee ligaments.

She is due to go under the knife on August 9 and will then need six months to recover fully before she can try to pick up where she left off.

"Getting the injury is really frustrating for me," Oliver said.

"It is so annoying because I was doing really well and my confidence was high.

"I was starting to get noticed at that point and I was hoping to push on and try and break into the full England team for the 2006 World Cup."

Oliver, who plays number ten, said her club was sticking by her and was happy to give her all the time she needs to get over the serious injury.

"I spoke to my club and they said to take it as a rest period," she added. "They said I've still got a lot to work on and I am still doing upper body exercises and swimming at the moment.

"Everyone keeps telling me I will come back stronger than ever next year. But I'm desperate to come back now."

Oliver originally started out in judo but changed her sporting allegiances when went to see her brother play rugby and got hooked on the game.

She is now looking for sponsors to help fund her rehabilitation, which is likely to cost in the region of £6,000.

"My parents are really supportive and all my medical costs are coming out of their pockets," she added.

"But I can't expect them to keep being able to pay for me and I really need some extra support.

"Women's rugby is a really popular sport at the moment and there are a lot of people interested in it."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Oliver should contact Nick Lowe on (07966) 022456.