CHRIS Horsman is expected to make his Worcester Warriors return in pre-season after undergoing a successful shoulder operation.

Tighthead prop Horsman, 27, a key figure in Worcester's revival in the second-half season, missed the club's final four Zurich Premiership games with a neck problem.

But the former Celtic Warrior should be available when Worcester meet up later this summer in preparation for the 2005/06 season.

Meanwhile, lock Tim Collier is a certainty to begin pre-season following surgery.

And centre Dale Rasmussen will be ready, despite further damaging a torn hamstring during Warriors' momentous 21-19 victory over Northampton at Sixways last Saturday.

Worcester's director of rugby John Brain admits Horsman and Collier have both enjoyed solid seasons.

But Brain points out the club's strength of depth has covered admirably for the recent loss of the duo.

Brain said: "The operation on Chris Horsman went very well. He's come through that OK and everything has gone to plan.

"Basically, he is now in a position where he can't do a lot with his shoulder for the next three weeks. After that, he then starts the rehabilitation process.

"There's not going to be a problem with him being fit for next season. Obviously, we are going to have to integrate him into pre-season.

"Tim Collier is also progressing very well and he will be fit to start pre-season. Both of the operations have gone very well. There's no long-term problem with Dale. His injury won't keep him out of pre-season."

Brain added: "Tim and Chris have both had very good seasons. But more importantly, over the last four or five weeks, when both have been unavailable, we have done very well.

"We've won our two most important matches of the season without them, against Newcastle and then Northampton. That's speaks volumes of the depth of talent in the squad."