ANDY Keast remains positive that Worcester Rugby Club will have a fully fit squad to choose from by September.

The Sixways coach has been monitoring a number of injury concerns since the promotion-chasing squad returned to training this month.

Werner Swanepoel (Achilles), Mark Gabey (broken arm), Nnamdi Ezulike (knee ligaments), Gavin Pfister and Richard Bates (both shoulder) have all undergone recent surgery in a bid to get them fit for Worcester's opener at Otley on September 6.

Keast is delighted with the progress of Worcester's walking wounded as they continue on the comeback trail.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed when I say this but I would think that everyone should be fit for Otley," he said.

"Nnamdi Ezulike should be up and running in a fortnight. He's doing a lot of balance work with the knee and he is progressing really well.

"Mark Gabey is working hard, running a lot and we are looking at possibly the Neath/Swansea game for him to get back to playing.

"Gavin obviously cannot do any contact work at present because of the shoulder but I don't see a problem by the start of the season.

"It would be a big boost to have everyone fit for the season opener especially in the wake of last season's injuries.

"With the new signings, it helps to intensify the competition for places and maybe has people looking over their shoulders. People are working very hard to make sure they are fit."

Meanwhile, Worcester centre Ben Hinshelwood has been named in Scotland's 50-man World Cup squad.

Hinshelwood, currently in Poland with Scotland on a training camp, is hoping to make the final 30 but will have to convince coach Ian Mc-Geechan that he has fully recovered from a broken leg.