Wynand Olivier could make comeback for Worcester Cavaliers

With Warriors managing his recovery “conservatively” the 35-year-old centre has been on the sidelines for 11 months after tearing his hamstring.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was “positive” about Olivier’s progress and hinted the Springbok may turn out for Cavaliers when they travel to Dry Leas in Henley-on-Thames to face Wasps.

“Wynand is getting closer (to returning to action),” Solomons said.

“Whether it will be the Premiership Shield on Monday or another week I don’t know.

“But what I would rather do is be conservative with him and make sure he is 100 per cent right.

“He is training really well at the moment and I am positive about him.”

Olivier has not played competitively since injuring his hamstring in Warriors’ Premiership match at Harlequins in late October last year.

“He has been out for a long time,” Solomons said.

“They tried to deal with it conservatively and it didn’t work out so they had to operate on it, but these things happen.”

Solomons is also hoping injury-hit prop Ethan Waller will be able to recover from a hip issue in time for Cavaliers’ battle with Wasps.

The 26-year-old loosehead overcame shoulder surgery to pack down in the victory over Sale Jets on Monday only to be forced off at half-time. The injury ruled him out of Warriors’ trip to Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday (3pm).

“Ethan got a bit of a hip pointer right at the beginning of the game,” Solomons said.

“No one touched him. He fell on his hip which is pretty sore so it would be crazy to consider him for this weekend.

“He hasn’t had any rugby since the op. He has been integrated back into training, had 40 minutes but picked up a little bit of a knock.

“We are hoping that it will settle down well enough for him to be considered for the Premiership Shield game next Monday.

“But he is not ready to play at the moment.”