Kruis could be in contention for the clash with Australia on

England’s bid to end 2016 with a clean sweep is set to be boosted by a surprise return for Saracens lock George Kruis ahead of next week’s Test against Argentina.

The 26-year-old had been ruled out of the autumn series following ankle surgery, but Sportsmail understands he is in line for a club comeback against Gloucester next week.

With Maro Itoje and Dave Attwood injured, it means Kruis could be in contention to feature in the series finale against Australia at Twickenham on December 3.

England lock George Kruis in line for a club comeback against Gloucester next week

Despite being left out of Eddie Jones’ squad on injury grounds, Kruis has visited their training HQ at Pennyhill Park this week and has kept in close contact with the coaches.

The second row has been a key figure in the Jones revolution, starting every Test in the Six Nations Grand Slam and the 3-0 summer whitewash of the Wallabies.

Jones is now plotting to end the campaign in style by becoming the first England coach to complete a perfect year since Geoff Cooke in 1992, when England won six Tests.

Meanwhile, England scrum coach Neal Hatley believes Fiji could become global heavyweights given more funding after it emerged their players will earn a meagre £400 each at Twickenham.

England players will pocket a £22,000 match fee, highlighting the financial disparity between the tier-one nations, including Australia and New Zealand, and the rest of the rugby world.

Fiji will receive £75,000 of Saturday’s £10million revenue, though there is no obligation for the RFU to share any cut with the cash-strapped nation.

The 26-year-old (left) was left out of Eddie Jones’ squad on injury grounds

A lack of resources means the Pacific Islanders are facing a talent drain of players. England are set to play back-row Nathan Hughes against his country of birth this weekend, All Black wing Waisake Naholo is Fiji-born, while Tevita Kuridrani and Henry Speight also took the lucrative option to play for the Wallabies over the tier-two country.

Hatley said: ‘I have an unbelievable amount of respect for what Fiji do and how hard they work to get themselves into a position to play international games.

‘I have seen they are talking about setting up a Super Rugby franchise and getting players back to the island with something similar to what Argentina has done.

‘You look across Europe at the quality Fijian players over here. They are a force at the moment so if they had more resources, who knows what could happen?’

Alex Lozowski passes the ball during the England training session at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday

Hughes is not the only Fiji-born player to face his native nation on Saturday, with winger Semesa Rokoduguni also set to start for England, having previously won one cap against the All Blacks more than two years ago.

The 29-year-old, who was once a tank driver in the British Army, will replace Marland Yarde, having overcome the nerves of his Test debut under Stuart Lancaster.

Hately added: ‘There could be a seismic explosion on the far side with Nemani Nadolo and Rokoduguni running into each other. He looks like a better player now.

‘He has proper life experience of driving a tank, which no one else has had inside the group. I think that players draw inspiration from that.’