WORCESTER Warriors boss Alan Solomons is optimistic over the possibility of seeing injured back rower Cornell du Preez return to the field in the future.

Du Preez, 27, has been sidelined since September 1 when he damaged his voice box and fractured his Adam’s apple following a collision with Wasps lock Joe Launchbury in the opening game of the Gallagher Premiership.

The severity of the injury raised question marks over his future in the game as he spent more than a month in hospital after undergoing throat surgery.

But there is hope of du Preez launching a comeback with Solomons saying the Scotland international’s situation was “looking positive”.

Solomons admitted it was “probably unlikely” that du Preez would play for Worcester again this season.

But the director of rugby said the South African-born forward was back on the training paddock and in a “good frame of mind”.

“There is further investigation that has still got to be done over the next two to three weeks but he is doing very well,” Solomons said.

“He is training now so he is running with Johan (Pretorius), our strength and conditioning trainer.

“He is here at the club so it is looking positive. That’s what I think.”

Du Preez was due to have a further surgical procedure in mid-January to remove a cyst.

That operation was cancelled but is expected to be rescheduled with du Preez awaiting a new date.

“There will be further scans and stuff that will be done over the next two to three weeks,” Solomons said.

“That’s the right time to get clarity. That injury happened five or six months ago so we should be able to get greater clarity on it.

“But things are progressing favourably and he is in a good frame of mind.”

Du Preez joined Warriors on a two-year deal from Edinburgh last summer but has made just one appearance for the Sixways side.

“Cornell is not contact training,” Solomons continued.

“He is on his own doing running, weights and stuff like that to get himself fit.

“For me and I am just guessing it is probably unlikely (that he will be back playing this season).

“But I am very pleased with the progress he has made.”

Asked whether he could see du Preez back in action beyond this campaign, Solomons replied: “At the moment, that’s what it looks like.”

Du Preez was unable to speak for four weeks while he was in hospital but Solomons said the ex-Southern Kings player’s voice was “not too bad”.

“It’s not the whisper that it was when we went to see him in hospital in Birmingham,” Solomons added.

“It’s much better but obviously it is a bit gravelly.”