/world sport
(CNN) -- Olly Barkley is back in contention for England's rugby tour of New Zealand in June after prosecutors dropped an assault charge against the Bath fly-half on Tuesday.
Olly Barkley has had to focus on his club duties since the threat of a court case over an assault charge.
The 26-year-old had been accused of assaulting a fellow guest at a wedding, but pleaded not guilty to attacking television producer Simon Cole following a reception in Buckinghamshire last July.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now dropped a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm due to a lack of evidence against the player, who has won 21 caps for England.
Barkley featured for England at last year's World Cup in France, where Brian Ashton's team reached the final before losing to South Africa.
Ashton did not select Barkley for the 2008 Six Nations, telling him that he needed to resolve his legal issues first.
Ashton, who coached Barkley at Bath, has since been dismissed from his role as head coach, with 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson taking over in a new team manager role.
Johnson will not be going on the two-Test trip to New Zealand as his wife is pregnant, so the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew will oversee the tour.
"This has been hanging over him for nine months and it must have been a very anxious time," Andrew said.
"However, he has focused on his club rugby and been a driving force behind Bath Rugby's success this season. He will be under consideration for the New Zealand tour squad to be announced on Tuesday May 13."
England will name a 32-man squad ahead of the Tests against the All Blacks on June 14 in Auckland and June 21 in Christchurch.
Barkley will be joining West Country rivals and English Premiership leaders Gloucester at the end of this season.
His chances of making the touring squad improved on Monday when 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson pulled out, with the Newcastle No. 10 needing shoulder surgery at the end of this season.
"I am naturally relieved by the decision today, but disappointed that it should have ever come to court," Barkley said in a statement
"I hope that my performances this season will stand me in good stead with Gloucester and England next season and that I can continue to go from strength to strength."
His solicitor Richard Mallett added:"I am delighted for Olly and proud of the way he has handled this case. We never had any doubt in the decision." E-mail to a friend 
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