Charles Piutau is ahead of schedule to return from injury for Bristol Bears.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam has praised the efforts of his players, medical department and strength and conditioning staff to get a number of injured players back on the pitch sooner than expected.
The Bears marquee man at full back is the standout name amongst those players.
Former All Black Piutau, 28, injured his MCL knee ligaments in the final minute of the 31-18 defeat away at Leicester Tigers on January 4.
A high tackle from England winger Jonny May broke the former All Black’s nose and then the Leicester speedster landed on him as Piutau looked to step which saw his knee buckle under up him.
He was initially aiming to return to face Bath on March 1, then Worcester Warriors on February 23, but the explosive back could even be back for the trip to Northampton Saints on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the match, Lam said: “He is on track, there is a good chance," he tantalisingly tailed off.
“The medical guys have done really well so we are hoping he will be back sooner than expected.
“It would be a big boost to get him back but saying that the boys who have played there have done well, Luke Morahan and Mat Protheroe.
“There is good depth and we never want to be about one player, someone goes down the next person steps up; saying that though Charles makes a big difference to us.”
Charles' brother Siale Piutau is also progressing well with the recovery from his knee injury and is out of his brace.
He is scheduled for a return to action in April.
Lam said the 22 days without a game after 19 gruelling rounds of Premiership Rugby Cup, Gallagher Premiership and European Challenge Cup games came at a good time with the players feeling refreshed after the break.
Lam added: “Everyone is keen to get going again. Obviously it is a massive challenge away at Northampton but the attitude has been good. We came back last week and did some good work just fine tuning some things and adding a few things to our game.”
One of the club’s big leaders Jordan Crane is also back fit after a disrupted first half of the season while hooker Harry Thacker, who was pulled out on the day of the 34-16 victory over Gloucester with a neck injury, is still being monitored but making positive strides.
Lam said: “The medical team and the S&C team have done a great job, and the players have done a great job.
“I said at the start of the week it is real credit to the effort put in by everyone, but particularly the players.
“Even when everyone had the week off, some of the RTP (return to play) boys sacrificed their time off to come in here and do work to ensure they are back in the best time.
“There are a lot of boys who will be coming back ahead of time which is really pleasing because you want as many available guys as you can.
“Selection for this game is going to be tough because there are a lot of boys available.”
Luke Morahan has returned in good shape from Australia where he played for the national sevens side at the Sydney leg of the World Series as he pursues a place in the squad for the Olympics.
Lam added: “He has come back really well. He has got a tan, he worked hard on his speed and he appreciated being given the opportunity to have a crack at it.”
Meanwhile Northampton Saints will be without backrower Lewis Ludlam and full back George Furbank who have been selected to train with England this weekend in preparation to face Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations on February 23, while England head coach Eddie Jones has opted for second row Courtney Lawes to have an enforced rest this weekend.
