Hook was one of Wales' stars last year, despite playing through pain

Ospreys and Wales centre James Hook is confident of returning in September after a successful shoulder operation.

That would see him back in time for the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup and for Wales' four-Test November series.

The 25-year-old played through pain for much of last season, but pulled out of Wales' two-Test tour of New Zealand last month to undergo the surgery.

"From what they are telling me, I am looking at the end of September before I will be able to play," said Hook.

"I will miss the first few games of the season.

"The Heineken Cup will be on us before we know it - in the second weekend of October - and I would like to be able to get a few games under my belt before then and get match-fit in time for the first one. That has to be the target.

"But I am not going to rush it, or do anything stupid. I am working closely with the physios, and when they think I am ready and I feel ready, then that will be the right time for me."

Hook took his 2009 British and Irish Lions form into last season, featuring at full-back during the autumn internationals as replacement for an injured Lee Byrne, but then moving into midfield for the Six Nations campaign.

He scored three tries in that tournament, and then added another touchdown when Wales lost narrowly to world champions South Africa last month.

"The injury didn't really stop me doing what I had to on the pitch, but it did mean I couldn't do what the rest of the boys were doing in training, the weights and stuff," he added.

"I could play ok, but if I got caught the wrong way I would really feel it."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version