LIVEWIRE scrum-half Francois Hougaard is “trying as hard as he possibly can” to return for Worcester Warriors’ vital Aviva Premiership Boxing Day clash at Bristol.

The South African international is “front of schedule” in his recovery from a shoulder operation which he had at the end of October.

The surgery was expected to keep Hougaard out of action for between “10 to 12 weeks”.

And head coach Carl Hogg believes the relegation battle with Bristol will arrive a “little bit early” for Warriors’ injured star.

Hogg said: “Francois is actually in front of schedule, which is fantastic.

“It won’t be until January-time that we anticipate Francois coming back but he’s definitely in front of schedule. It’s no surprise for somebody who is as professional and as diligent as Francois.

“We will be very much driven by the medical department. He’s desperate to play now and that shows the indication of the man.”

Hogg’s side are currently second from bottom after one just win, just six points better off than Bristol.

Hougaard arrived at Sixways in February and was the catalyst for Warriors’ upturn in form as they climbed to Premiership safety last season.

With Hougaard pulling the strings from nine, Warriors won four successive top-tier matches for the first time in their history.

Hogg said: “Francois is a very influential player as we saw last season but we are fortunate to have the likes of Jonny Arr, who has been one of our stand-out performers at the start of this season.

“Michael Dowsett has come on board and has got real potential as well. Unfortunately, we lost Luke Baldwin to a long-term injury but Francois is a class player.

“I think Bristol will be a little bit early (for Francois) for the block of three games around Christmas and New Year.

“He’s trying as hard as he possibly can to make that but I think it’s probably an unrealistic timescale for his injury.”