WORCESTER Warriors scrum half Ryan Powell is confident he will be back playing by the end of August after under-going shoulder reconstruction surgery.

The Panteg-born number nine, who turns 29 on Wednesday, went under the knife to correct the long-term problem and is five weeks into his rehabilitation programme.

Powell is first choice behind the Sixways pack and will be supported by youngster Johnny Arr and academy product Ollie Frost.

Despite missing the start of pre-season training, the three-times-capped Welshman is adament he will be fit for the start of the Guinness Premiership campaign at Northampton Saints on the first weekend of September.

The former Cardiff Blues half-back said: “I’ve had my left shoulder reconstructed. It had been niggling me for a while and needed to be done.

“I had the operation five weeks ago and I’m ahead of schedule in my rehab. I’m obviously not in contact training or ball skills yet, but I have started to lift light weights with my bad shoulder.

“I will be able to join full training in about three to four weeks and I should be back for the pre-season games at the end of August and then I’ll be ready for the Premiership kick-off.”

After the retirement of Matt Powell and the release of Ben Jones, the former Wales ‘A’ captain has an important role to play this term with just youngsters Arr and Frost as his understudies.

Powell added: “This season is a good opportunity for me and it is nice to be the senior figure in my position.

“Johnny is there too, but I haven’t worked too closely with Ollie yet because he has been with the academy, but I’ve seen him in training a few times and he looks a good player.

“People could say we are a bit short at scrum-half, but Johnny is a good youngster coming through and Mike Ruddock is confident he can play in the Premiership.”