With the operation taking place five weeks ago, he has the chance of proving his fitness in time for the All Blacks’ visit to Twickenham on November 2 due to an accelerated rehabilitation programme.
The hooker was appointed by Steve Borthwick after Rugby World Cup captain Owen Farrell opted to take a Test rugby sabbatical while Courtney Lawes, who led the team to pool victories over Argentina and Japan last September, has retired from international rugby.
The new skipper has much on his plate, but there are reasons for cautious English optimism.
George was chosen ahead of nearest rivals Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje.
England and Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade was once again a standout performer in Investec Champions Cup, this time shining in Round 2 against storied European opponents Munster.
England boss Eddie Jones has trimmed his 36-strong squad down to 25, including the fit-again Jamie George and excluding the likes of Jack Singleton, Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell ahead of next Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series game against Japan at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones has named a 36-man squad - including uncapped London Irish pair Henry Arundell and Will Joseph and the fit-again Owen Farrell - for next week’s three-day mini-camp in London ahead of the July tour to Australia.
White worked under Cheika in Wallabies camps at various stages between 2014 and 2019 and gave the RugbyPass Offload panel an insight into how the now Argentina head coach's unique rugby mind works.