Dallaglio plots his return

Lions tourist back on his feet

Wasps star Lawrence Dallaglio is looking and feeling positive about his recovery, after having taken his first strides on a running machine this week.

He is now back in full rehabilitation ten weeks after suffering a dislocated fracture of his ankle playing for the Lions in New Zealand, and very pleased with the progress he has made thus far.

"With any injury, first things first, you've got to have a good operation," he said.

"Your recovery from injury is only as good as the surgery, and mine was successful. I was very well looked after in New Zealand.

"Secondly, successful recovery is dependant on the physio and rehab that you receive, and the treatment I'm getting at the moment, both at the club and externally, is first class, so that's going well and bit by bit we're getting there.

"Initially things were slightly more complicated as I was on the other side of the world, but I think everyone is happy with the operation and I've had the opportunity to let nature take its course with the recovery. There's not an awful lot more you can do at that stage, even though you want to.

"So I've had a nice holiday, and my hard work starts now to be honest.

"Having watched everyone else looking in great shape from their pre-season training, I've got two months ahead of me of extremely hard work but I'm looking forward to it.

"At the moment I spend most of my time in the pool and the gym and a little bit of time spent out on the field. I'm in the pool most days and I've been running on the treadmill since the day before yesterday, obviously a little bit tentatively at first.

"I'm maintaining a reasonable weight, doing upper body work and now lower body work as well and getting physio every day and doing a bit of running.

"I am making sure I continue with my skill work, but I'm not able to do anything dynamic just yet, for obvious reasons.

"I'll be looking to play rugby before the end of the year. November is a realistic date to set for a return to the team, but I want to make sure that when I do come back I'm in the right physical shape to make an immediate impression.

"I don't want to come back and start the season slowly, I want to come in pick up where I left off at the end of last season.

"Therefore if I need to take a little bit longer with my recovery and my rehab, to make sure that I'm as dynamic as I need to be, then that's what I'll do.

"It's not a question of having to get back as quickly as possible, as at Wasps we've got a number of very talented players, and also November is only two months into a hell of a long season."