Ben Lewis faces a battle to establish himself in the Ospreys back row

Ospreys flanker Ben Lewis is ready to return to action after a 14-month absence through injury.

The 22-year-old open-side has been out of action since April 2008 after reconstructive work on the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

Lewis had been expected to be back playing by last November but needed further surgery on the injury.

"I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now... I've had quite a tough time of it," Lewis said.

"But it's good to be back in full training and getting the ball in hand. I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of playing again.

"The initial op went well and it was all coming along nicely, but five months or so into it when I was just about to step it up I started suffering problems.

I had a taste of regional rugby a couple of seasons ago and I was starting to build up a reputation Ben Lewis

"It was the same symptoms as pre-op, I knew it wasn't right and had to seek medical help.

"Obviously it was quite a large setback for me to have to go through it all again.

"Mentally, there were some dark times, but I had the support of the Ospreys medical team, and the long-term injured guys are pretty close knit and help you through the difficult periods.

"You soon realise that worse things happen in life, it wasn't the end of the world.

"I had faith that I would play again, the surgeon and the medical team here backed that up so I just had to get on with it and aim towards making myself available at the start of this season."

Lewis has been tipped as a future Wales regular but he first has to force his way back into a strong Ospreys back row.

The Welsh region recently signed former New Zealand international Jerry Collins, adding to a unit that already consisted of Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Marty Holah, Filo Tiatia, Tom Smith and Steve Tandy.

Lewis is realistic that there is still plenty of hard work left ahead of him to regain the peak of his powers.

"Have I got a target for the season? To get back playing as many games as I can in an Ospreys shirt, it's as simple as that," Lewis said.

"I want to try and carry on where I left off in April last year, it's difficult to target anything else given the length of time I've been out.

606: DEBATE Have your say on Ben Lewis' return

"I had a taste of regional rugby a couple of seasons ago and I was starting to build up a reputation for myself and now I have to do it all over again.

"The coaches and physios may think that I need a bit more game time under my belt before being considered for selection in competitive matches for the Ospreys.

"If that's the case, then I'll go to Swansea RFC and do what I have to do. I'm comfortable playing for the Whites, I've no issue playing at that level to prove myself.

"I'm proud of my roots, I'm a Swansea boy, I learnt my trade with the club having come through from Mumbles RFC and there are plenty of familiar faces around the place."

If Lewis does return to Swansea to find his form again he will be joined in the All Whites ranks by 18-year-old Henno Dirkson.

Dirkson, a South African-born centre who has been capped at Under-18 level by the United States, is understood to have agreed to join the Ospreys and will be made available to Swansea.

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