Matt Mullen close to Worcester Warriors return

Mullan made his England debut against Italy in February

Prop Matt Mullan says he is close to making his Worcester Warriors return after a frustrating six months out of the game.

Mullan, 23, underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery after a freak pre-season training ground injury.

"I am not too far away from joining the boys again," Mullan told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I'll be back into contact training in two weeks with the plan to play my first game in about five weeks."

The England international could make his comeback for Stourbridge as the Warriors have a link with the Saxons that has seen several of their younger players lining up in National One.

You can't second guess the coach you have to put your trust in him

Warriors prop Matt Mullan

Mullan said it had been difficult watching from the sidelines and he could understand why Warriors supporters were unhappy with some of their performances, even though they are currently six points clear at the top of the Championship.

"The fans are going to be frustrated after a first half like the game against Plymouth when we were 9-3 up at half-time. But teams come to Worcester and raise their game," he said.

"We know we are not playing as well as we want to and are massively frustrated at the moment, but we are working harder than any Worcester team I have known.

"Look at Saracens last season. All the way up to Christmas they were criticised for the way they played and even booed by their own fans. It may not have been entertaining but it got results and got them to the top of the league."

Matt has been rated as one of the most promising prop forwards to ever come through an England system

Warriors head coach Richard Hill

Head coach Richard Hill knows that if the Warriors do not achieve promotion this season it will be difficult to keep hold of young players like Mullan who made his senior England debut during the 2010 Six Nations Championship.

"We have some very talented young players here like Matt," said Hill. "It underlines the need to get back into the Premiership. Those with international ambitions will be looked at more favourably if they are playing in the top flight.

"He has a huge future ahead of him. In this day and age it would be lovely to have 30 Matt Mullans because he is a model professional.

"I have been told by those who have watched him through the England set-up that he has been rated as one of the most promising prop forwards they have ever seen come through an England system. He has greater potential than the greats who have gone before him.

"I'm excited about having him back in the squad. He's such a Worcester man."

Worcester Warriors travel to Rotherham Titans on Saturday 20 November 1400 GMT and there will be full commentary on the game on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 104 fm and online.