ANDY Keast believes Nnamdi Ezulike has 'grown' this season along with Worcester Rugby Club.

The Sixways coach was delighted that the former London Irish flyer joined the club in the summer and has been able to extract the talent from the winger.

Ezulike has been an integral part of the team which is now seven points clear at the top of National One and Keast believes his contribution has been a significant one.

"The first couple of weeks we were chopping and changing with Craig Hudson," he said.

"But since he bedded in the team he has gone from strength to strength. I don't think he has a weak part to his game.

"His attacking play speaks for itself and he has worked exceptionally hard on his defence. Some wingers won't do that but Nnamdi has been professional about it. He takes pride in that aspect of the game.

"He's been a little frustrated that he hasn't scored more tries but that really doesn't matter.

"What we look at is his level of performance and we are very pleased with him."

Meanwhile, Richard Bates is on course for a comeback at the end of March. The flanker, who dislocated his shoulder during the Powergen Cup defeat at Leicester in December, is targeting a return to training next month.

Bates has endured a frustrating season after only recently returning from surgery on his other shoulder.

However, after fears that his season may be over following the dislocation at Welford Road, he is progressing well according to Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

"He's coming along well," he said. "Obviously we have to be careful with him but we believe he is on course for the end of March."