Leeds Carnegie target March return for Andy Titterrell

Titterrell formerly played at Sale and Gloucester

Leeds Carnegie's Andy Titterrell could return from injury before the end of the Premiership season.

The British Lions hooker had been ruled out for nine months after he suffered knee ligament damage in November.

But Titterrell has made rapid progress following surgery at the end of 2010 and could now be back by March.

Head coach Neil Back told BBC Radio Leeds: "Andy is working very hard. We are looking to get him back by March and before the end of the season."

Back added: "Andy is a model professional and has worked tremendously hard with his rehabilitation.

"We hope to get him back so he can contribute towards the back end of the season.

"Losing Andy was a huge blow because of his leadership and ability on the field, we won't hide from that, but we have to get on and muck in without him."

Responsibility for the hooker role at Leeds will fall on the young shoulders of Nilsen, 25, and Freer, 22, during February and March, as Steve Thompson will be away with England during the Six Nations.

"Scott's been playing at Otley and his progression has been good," Back continued. "He's done it at a rate we can control and has worked very hard - he is in good shape."

For me he is definitely a player of the future - it's one of those scenarios now where he either sinks or he swims

Steve Thompson on Scott Freer

Freer has yet to play in the Premiership due to a year out with a knee injury, while Nilsen has 15 top-flight appearances to his name, but despite their inexperience Thompson has great faith in his young deputies.

The World Cup winner said: "They are definitely good enough to play at this level. Phil learnt a lot while I was away last time [Autumn internationals in November] and has really come through now.

"He is getting better and better and hopefully I'm helping his out with his scrummaging and things like that.

"With Scott he's coming back from injury and has had a few games down at Otley.

"For me, it's one of those scenarios now, especially with Scott, where he either sinks or he swims."