FLANKER Dewald Potgieter is not due back until February as his wait for his first appearance of the season for Worcester Warriors continues.

The South African was scheduled to return this month as he battles to recover from a “major” knee injury sustained in pre-season.

But Warriors have confirmed Potgieter who featured 16 times last season faced another couple of months on the sidelines.

Head coach Carl Hogg said: “Dewald will still be a bit little bit of time away.

“He did his ACL which is a major injury and something that takes a long period of time.”

Matt Cox was also expected to be back from a bicep injury this month, but Warriors anticipate the back rower to be out for three more weeks.

The 29-year-old has not played since Worcester’s 41-10 thrashing at the hands of Exeter Chiefs in mid-September.

Meanwhile, Wynand Oliver is "still six weeks away" from making a return, according to Warriors.

The South Africa international was forced off with a hamstring injury at half-time in Worcester’s 41-35 defeat at Harlequins in mid-October.