INJURED centre Ben Te’o is scheduled to return to action ahead of England’s Six Nations campaign, according to Worcester Warriors boss Alan Solomons.

The British and Irish Lions star is battling to overcome an ankle injury sustained in Worcester’s European Challenge Cup win over Brive in mid-October.

On December 19, Warriors stated they expected Te’o to be sidelined for another six weeks, sparking concerns over whether he would be fit for England’s opener against Italy in Rome on Sunday, February 4.

But Te’o was named in Eddie Jones’ 34-man training squad for a two-day camp in Brighton earlier this week. And Solomons believes the 30-year-old’s inclusion shows he is on track to be fit for England duty.

“Ben has played for the British and Irish Lions so people would have expected that he would be selected in the squad,” Solomons said.

“All things being equal which they are, I understand he is due to return during the month of January to play.

“Our medical staff have done an excellent job and they link in with England.

“Clearly he is an excellent player. We have seen what he can do and the national coach thinks he will be in the frame, therefore he has got him in the squad.”