Injured players hand Ospreys a pre-season boost

With 19 of the squad enjoying an extended break following a busy summer of rugby that saw 12 players travel to South Africa with the Welsh squad and a further seven competing in the Junior World Championships, the rest of the players were back at the Ospreys Llandarcy HQ on Monday to begin preparations for the new campaign.

Ospreys Physio Chris Towers was able to report on the condition of the injured half-dozen, who needless to say have been working diligently on their rehabilitation over the summer break, and it was good news all round with all the players in question progressing well.

Chris Towers comments on the injured players:

Mike Phillips - Underwent an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction to the right knee at the start of April

"An ACL reconstruction will always require somewhere in the region of a six month rehabilitation programme, and Mike is three months into it. He is recovering well and at this stage is easily achieving all his targets in terms of physical recovery and is starting to develop his strength and power. Over the next week or so he'll resume controlled skill sessions, but he is still a long way from full contact work. He is on target to return at the end of September or early October."

Gavin Henson - Underwent keyhole surgery on damaged ankle ligaments to stabilise the joint in late April

"Gavin is still in a walking plaster, which is scheduled to come off on the 10th July. Once it has been removed then we'll be looking at working closely with him to get it functioning properly. The indications are that the ankle is coming along well and we are looking towards Gavin returning to action towards the latter end of September."

Ben Lewis - Underwent an ACL Reconstruction to the right knee in mid-May

"Ben is just six weeks into his post-op rehab but is responding well and is on course for the standard six-month return to action for an ACL reconstruction, which would see him return to action in November."

In addition, Lee Byrne, Nikki Walker and Andrew Millward have all undergone minor operations, and having recuperated well over the summer will take a full part in pre-season training.