WORCESTER Warriors flanker Dewald Potgieter will be out of action for three months after another injury setback.

The South African has undergone an operation to repair a tendon tear in his left thigh after damaging it during a running session.

Potgieter had only just returned to full training after being sidelined for four months after shoulder surgery following Worcester’s 15-14 Aviva Premiership win at Newcastle Falcons last season.

“It had been four months since a bit of shoulder surgery sidelined me, and I was feeling pretty good and raring to go,” explained Potgieter in an article on his own website.

“Final preparations for our annual training camp in France was taking place, and everything came together nicely, just in time for the start of the season.”

However, Potgieter felt “a ping” in his thigh during a speed session and a scan confirmed a tear in the central tendon of his rectus femoris, a muscle in his thigh.

“This latest setback will leave me hanging around for 12 weeks all in all,” admitted the 29-year-old.

Potgieter joined Warriors in February from Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo and made four Premiership appearances, scoring a try at Falcons, before his shoulder injury struck.

The South African international won two consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010, amassing 70 appearances for the Pretoria-based side.

Potgieter said: “Experience tells me to break it (the time) up into more manageable bits – a two-week wait for the dressing to come off, another two weeks for that last bit of healing before I start with strength.

"It will four more weeks before I can start running again, and the final stint of four weeks to return to full training and games.”