Stuart Lancaster revealed Mike Brown is feeling "100 per cent" and should come back into contention for England's next Six Nations match versus Scotland.
Full-back Brown was absent as England's hopes of a Grand Slam were dashed in a 19-9 defeat in Ireland last weekend, after he suffered concussion symptoms in the 47-17 rout of Italy last month.
Brown was a big miss for England, who struggled to cope with a series of high balls at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland grabbed the initiative in the fight for the title.
However, head coach Lancaster confirmed the Harlequins man is nearing a return to action and is set to play in the Calcutta Cup clash with rivals Scotland at Twickenham on March 14.
"He's got to tick the final box tomorrow but he's feeling back to 100 per cent," he said on Wednesday.
Lancaster is remaining optimistic that England can still finish top of the pile and claims his team are in a similar position to where defending champions Ireland were 12 months ago.
"This time last year Ireland were probably sat in the same position as us and two weeks later they were sat with medals around their necks," he added.
"We do rely on other results, but we have two home games and Ireland have got to go to Wales, who have huge motivation."
With the World Cup taking place on home soil later this year England will hope for a swift response against Scotland.
And Lancaster is confident the loss to Ireland will have no bearing on England's chances in the quadrennial showpiece.
"It's hugely disappointing to lose any game of rugby but New Zealand lost the last two warm-up games leading into the World Cup and won the World Cup," he said.
"France lost in the pool stages and got to the final. It's how you react to a defeat and making sure you don't panic or lose belief in what you're doing.
"We didn't play as well as we wanted against a top-class side, but ultimately we won't lose the sense of direction that we're going, and that we're on the right track absolutely."