Gareth Anscombe is set to hand Cardiff Blues a boost by making his long-awaited comeback in the coming weeks.
It is hoped the Wales fly-half will be available to feature in next week’s Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at Cardiff Arms Park, which would be his first appearance of the season.
Anscombe last appeared for the Blues against Stade Francais in May and starred during Wales’ summer victories over Tonga and Samoa.
However, a long-standing groin issue flared up again and a different course of action was taken to ensure the problem was hopefully tackled once and for all.
The 26-year-old followed a course of therapy with West Bromich Albion’s medical chief Dr Mark Gillett and spent a week with groin rehabilitation specialist Enda King at the SSC Santry in Dublin.
And he is now back in action and is looking forward to making up for lost time.
He said: “It’s been a bit of a long process and I’ve had to work pretty hard with our physio department and the likes of John Miles and a few specialists.
“At the start I tried to switch off from rugby and tried not to think about it but in the last four weeks I’ve started to watch a bit more and slowly get back into it.
“When you’re on the side-lines it can be difficult. At the beginning of the season we had a tough draw in the PRO14 and I just wanted to be out there helping the team and also when they’ve had a couple of good wins you just want to be part of it.
“It will be nice to stop watching and be able to contribute hopefully.
“It’s feeling a lot better now and I’ve had my first training session with the backs (Tuesday), which was nice. It was good to get the ball back in my hands and all being well I’ll get some game-time next week.”
Anscombe would be the latest long-term casualty to return to action following Gethin Jenkins’ comeback in last week’s bonus-point win over Zebre.
The Blues face Newcastle Falcons in their opening Anglo-Welsh clash tomorrow fielding a mix of youth and experience.
Further first team players are set to feature against the Ospreys on November 17, in preparation for a crucial clash with Connacht, and Anscombe is relishing the occasion.
“With Gethin coming back, Ellis not being too far away and hopefully I can get back on the field as well, we are getting some of the more experience guys back.
“It’s been nice to see some of the young guys put their hands up and look assured and the Anglo-Welsh is another good chance to chuck out a few more youngsters and see how they handle it.
“We’ve had a good little rivalry with the Ospreys in the last few years so it will be nice to get out there and play them early doors.
“They will present a good challenge and I’m sure they’ll look to chuck a few more of their guys in as well. The Welsh derbies are always nice to play in, they have a bit more spice to them and hopefully we can get a decent crowd at CAP, and get a bit of confidence going back into PRO14.”
Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Ospreys in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Friday, November 17, at 7.15pm are available now and can be purchase by clicking here or calling 029 20 302030.