Gavin Henson injured his ankle against Gloucester in March

Wales star Gavin Henson is expected to return to Ospreys' pre-season training after recovering from injury.

Henson, 27, was ruled out of the Lions and Wales's summer tours after damaging his ankle in the EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat to Gloucester in March.

"His ankle is now functional but not up to full match readiness," said Ospreys physio Chris Towers.

"He is... on target to return to normal pre-season training with the rest of the squad at the end of June."

Henson had a campaign to forget last season. He was sidelined for Wales' autumn series because of an Achilles problem and then missed the start of the Six Nations Championship with a calf injury.

And after injuring his ankle against Gloucester time ran out for him to be considered for the Lions and Wales tours.

Towers confirmed the Ospreys are likely be boosted by the return to action of a number of other injury victims when the new season kicks off.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Gavin Henson's return

Internationals Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans and Nikki Walker are all expected to join the rest of the squad during pre-season training, with a return to competitive action pencilled in for the early stages of the 2009/2010 campaign.

On Thomas, Towers said: "Jonathan has been working hard on his conditioning and rehabilitation after an operation to correct an ongoing groin problem.

"He is progressing nicely and will report for pre-season at the end of June.

"I'd anticipate that we will have to manage his activity for the first month but expect him to be firing on all cylinders at the end of July, allowing him to make a welcome return at the start of next season."

Evans is expected to resume normal training by the end of July and will be available for selection in early September, while Walker should be fit for pre-season training after a serious hamstring problem.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version