Howells on the comeback trail for Ospreys

Howells, 21, had been aiming to catch the eye last campaign but his season was cut short at just three games when he sustained a serious injury during Ospreys' Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs.

Surgery consequently followed before eight months of careful rehabilitation although the twice-capped Wales international is now back in training.

And speedster Howells, who signed a new two-year deal with the region back in May, revealed he is ready to make up for lost time with the new Guinness PRO12 season getting underway on September 2.

"I'm feeling really good and looking forward to going again," Howells told the South Wales Evening Post.

"The pre-season has gone well and it's about making up lost ground. I felt I had been playing quite well and it meant a lot to get a start in Europe, so I was gutted when the injury happened.

"I tore the hamstring straight off the bone and needed surgery to re-attach it.

"Things have moved on as far as rehab goes and so I'm back in eight months where previously I might have needed the best part of a year to recover.

"I had surgery a week after the injury and was on crutches for six weeks. Since then, it's been about moving on and trying to be as professional as I can in my rehab."

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