GAVIN Pfister has undergone surgery after complaining of a shoulder injury.

Worcester Rugby Club's openside flanker played through the pain last season but is now expected to be fit for the start of the season.

"He played the last quarter of the season with a bit of bone floating around in his shoulder," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

"He's now had the surgery to basically tidy up the problem and I'm confident he'll be fit for the start of the season."

Pfister joins Mark Gabey on the road to recovery after the lock this week underwent further surgery on his broken arm which will now take up to three months to recover.

Nnamdi Ezulike is another who had to go under the knife in the close season after suffering a knee injury. The former London Irish winger is progressing well, though, and is expected to be fit for Worcester's opening National One fixture at Otley on September 6.

Werner Swanepoel's Achilles tear is coming along well, while Chris Garrard, following surgery to cure a groin problem, is now running and should begin pre-season training next month.

"Some of the players who are coming back from injury will obviously have a slightly different programme to the rest of the squad," added Brain.

"However, I think we are pleased the way things are going. Last season we had a freak amount of injuries to big players at vital times.

"The medical bill for the club was three times as much as it was for the season before so that tells its own story.

"You cannot legislate for that but we have signed players for the season ahead who can play in a number of positions.

"Hooker Ben Daly can play in the back row, Duncan Murray is comfortable anywhere in the back line, Daren O'Leary will play on the wing or at full back, while Tommy Hayes is happy at fly-half."