Lewis was overlooked for selection by Brian McDermott this week

Jez Litten says his England roommate Mikey Lewis is staying ready after being overlooked for selection for the World Cup opener.

England take on Tonga today, with Hull KR's Litten set to come off the bench at HBF Park in Perth and play the role he has done so well with KR over the years. It's a position he was expected to take up and he'll be determined to help England get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

His fellow Rovers star Lewis has been overlooked for selection though, with the stand-off being named as a reserve when Brian McDermott released his squad on Tuesday.

That hasn't deterred Lewis from being a model teammate around the England camp, though, with the playmaker helping out where he can this week in order to prepare those who will take to the field.

However, anything can happen during a tournament and Litten insists Lewis is doing all he can to ensure he is ready to seize any opportunity that might fall his way.

"It's sort of a different environment when you're in international and you don't play but he has took it really well, and he's been training hard and prepping the boys well," Litten said on Lewis. "I know the boys have got his full commitment and he's been tipping the lads up on things what he's seen.

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"That's all you can ask, and that's been all the boys who are on the bench or not playing.

"Everyone's fully committed and buying into the cause and I'm sure them boys will get their opportunity through the tournament as well. Anything can happen. I think them boys should just be staying ready.

"It's the same in season with KR or with England, anything can happen, injuries, form, so I'll expect to see Mikey at some point and we all know what he can bring when he plays."

On rooming with the stand-off, he said: "Yeah, it's sort of chilled, we room together at KR as well. It's just relaxed once we get in the room there's not too much said, the odd little argument here and there but it's alright."