RETURNING Worcester Warriors back Ben Howard is “hungry” and determined to put to bed the “most frustrating time” of his career.

The 23-year-old begins his comeback today in Warriors’ important European Challenge Cup match against Newport Gwent Dragons at Sixways (3pm).

Howard was eyeing an opening-day Aviva Premiership starting berth against Saracens in September when he damaged his ankle in Worcester’s pre-season match in Jersey.

“The last few months have probably been the most frustrating time of my career,” said Howard.

“You don’t expect to get injured in pre-season games with the new season just around the corner.

“Chris Pennell was out injured at the time and since then a lot of guys have come in and done very well.

“I got tackled (against Jersey) and someone fell on my ankle.

“It’s exactly the same injury that Tiff Eden and Niall Annett have had so it’s quite a common rugby injury due to the way we’re tackled.

“I played on for 20 minutes afterwards thinking it was OK but when I got the injury scanned the medical team realised there were no longer any ligaments attached.”

Howard needed surgery on his ankle and returns to the first-team fold after a three-month exile and a run-out against Oxford University.

“I’ve trained for the last couple of weeks and was the travelling reserve at Exeter Chiefs and almost got on the bench so it’s just a case of getting out and putting my hand up,” he said.

“The time I was off seemed very lonely because you’re not in the mix or in people’s mind-sets and when injuries were being listed my name wasn’t on most of them.

“Perhaps that was indicative of me not playing as many games as I would have wanted last season which makes the injury at the start of this campaign even more frustrating.

“When injured, you are not involved in meetings or training. You come in to do your rehabilitation and weights. It’s a very insular day.

“I was not on my own, there was Tom Biggs, Ryan Mills and Bryce Heem as well. You have to accept it.”

Howard made just six Premiership appearances from the bench last term but played in six European matches, scoring two tries.

In the 2014-15 Championship campaign, Howard scored seven tries in 21 league and cup games.

He added: “I would like to say I am still a full-back but I am starting on the wing against Dragons which is a credit to the way Josh Adams has played because the coaches want to give him some game-time at full-back.

“I was injured in one position and I am coming back in another position and it’s not the best thing to happen to me.

“I am happy to be back training and preparing for a game and that’s all I can focus on.

“I have had an extra three months to make myself hungry for the moment when I step back on to the pitch.”