JACK Singleton has returned to training and could be back available for Worcester Warriors by the start of April.

Warriors’ first-choice hooker is recovering from an elbow injury sustained in the 17-6 defeat at Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership earlier this month.

Initially boss Alan Solomons feared Singleton could be out for up to six weeks but he is now “cautiously optimistic” the 22-year-old will be fit to face Wasps at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, April 6.

“Jack is coming on really nicely and training really hard,” Solomons said.

“He says he is looking forward to getting back playing as the training Johan (Pretorius, head of performance) is putting him through is so tough.”

Asked when Singleton was likely to play again, Solomons said: “I am cautiously optimistic for the Wasps game.”

With Singleton unavailable Niall Annett made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a shoulder problem to start against Exeter Chiefs.

Annett looked in pain when he left the field after a man-of-the-match showing in the 33-30 loss at Sixways.

But the Irishman is expected to retain the number two shirt on Saturday when Warriors visit Bristol Bears (3pm).

Solomons has also been boosted by the return of hooker Joe Taufete’e following his try-scoring exploits for USA in the Americas Rugby Championship.

Taufete’e, 26, holds the world record for the most tries scored by an international front row.

“I thought Niall had a really good game (against Exeter) and Joey has had a good series with USA, scoring a lot of tries,” Solomons said.

“Niall was very brave. His shoulder was painful but he got through fine. As we did not play last weekend he has had a two-week lead into the Bristol match.”

Wing Perry Humphreys is also unlikely to pull on a Warriors jersey again until next month as he nurses a high ankle sprain picked up in the win over Bath in early January.

“I have been told he will be out for another two or three weeks,” Solomons added.