Wales and Ospreys prop Adam Jones is closing in on a return to first-team action, his club have confirmed.
Wales tighthead hoping to play some part in Six Nations campaign
Wales and Ospreys prop Adam Jones is closing in on a return to first-team action, his club have confirmed.
The powerful tighthead has been sidelined since suffering an elbow ligament injury during Ospreys' Heineken Cup defeat against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium almost five weeks ago.
The setback has ruled him out of Wales' RBS Six Nations campaign so far, and he faces a battle to play any part in this season's tournament.
But the 29-year-old, who has won 68 caps for his country, is now ready to step up his rehabilitation programme.
Target
"Adam is five weeks post-injury now, and the problem has settled down well," said Ospreys head physiotherapist Chris Towers.
"We are starting to increase his functionality during rehab this week, after which we will be in a position to target a game for his return to action."
Another of the Ospreys' injured Wales internationals, centre Andrew Bishop, could feature in Sunday's Magners League clash against Connacht at the Liberty Stadium.
Like Jones, Bishop has missed out on the Six Nations, in his case because of an ankle ligament injury he collected playing against Cardiff Blues on New Year's Eve.
Towers added: "Andrew has done really well in his rehab.
"He has returned to full training this week, meaning he is available for selection for Sunday's game against Connacht."
