CENTRE Ben Te’o is expected to launch his comeback from injury when Worcester Warriors host Ospreys in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm).

The England international has been sidelined since crossing the whitewash in Warriors’ defeat at Northampton Saints on the final day of last season.

A torn muscle in his thigh sustained in preparation for England’s summer tour to South Africa forced him to undergo surgery before a calf issue picked up in training further delayed his return to action.

But with national coach Eddie Jones poised to announce his squad for the autumn internationals on Thursday Te’o looks set to be back in the blue and gold.

And Warriors head coach Rory Duncan admitted it was difficult to ignore the powerful 31-year-old when penning his team to face Ospreys.

“Ben attended the training session on Monday and he was here on Tuesday morning as well so he appears to be tracking alright,” Duncan said.

“Ben has been doing his rehab programme and working hard to get back out on the pitch. He has now joined us in training so it is good to have him back.

“I understand he is available selection.

“As I mentioned last week when a player of Ben’s calibre is available you don’t want to ignore him in the selection process.

“He is a strong, physical centre with a lot of skill so he going to bring a lot to the game.”

Te’o has scored six tries in 24 appearances since joining Warriors from Leinster ahead of the 2016-17 campaign but his availability has been limited due to injuries and England duty.

“As a player it must be frustrating to have had injuries like that so he definitely wants to get out there and play,” Duncan added.

Te’o’s recovery is another boost for Worcester who welcomed back veteran centre Wynand Olivier into the fold in the memorable victory at Stade Francais at the weekend.

After Ashley Beck was stretchered off with a broken leg on three minutes Olivier came off the bench to make his first competitive outing in 11-and-half months.

Duncan was delighted to see him last 77 minutes and the former South Africa star is now likely to feature in Warriors’ second group match against Ospreys at Sixways.

“It was not great to see Ash get carted off but it was an opportunity for Wynand to get on,” Duncan said.

“He did extremely well considering he hadn’t played for quite some time and played 77 minutes of the game which was quite impressive.

“You can do conditioning but if you haven’t had the actual game-time it is difficult to get your fitness back.

“He certainly wasn’t behind the pace.”