GERRIT-Jan Van Velze has received a “very good” medical report and could return to action for Worcester Warriors in pre-season.

Director of rugby Gary Gold has spoken positively about the progress of Warriors’ club captain who has been struggling with a head injury.

Van Velze took a bang on the head in Worcester's first Aviva Premiership game of the season against Saracens.

The South African number eight was given an extended break to overcome concussion in September.

But the 29-year-old has failed to make another appearance this term to cast doubt over his playing future.

However, Gold said: “GJ has had a very good report from a medical point of view and we are hoping that he is going to get back in action in pre-season.”

Van Velze has scored nine tries in 42 appearances since joining Warriors in the summer of 2014.

Gold also explained Warriors' announcement that 23 players would be leaving this summer, insisting "it was not a strategy to get rid of people”.

The former South Africa assistant coach said “every case was different”, admitting some players had joined clubs before Warriors had retained their top-flight status and others departed due to no guarantees of first-team action.

 Chris Vui (Bristol), Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester), Tevita Cavubati (Newcastle Falcons), Tiff Eden (Nottingham), Derrick Appiah (London Scottish) and James Johnston (Brive) have all agreed terms with other terms for the 2017/18 campaign.

Sam Betty, Andy Short and Phil Dowson have retired, while Ryan Lamb, Cooper Vuna, Tom Biggs, Connor Braid, Jaba Bregvadze, Mike Daniels, Ryan Grant, Na’ama Leleimalefaga and Auguy Slowik have departed.

Academy aces George de Cothi, Ben Fowles, Charlie Hewitt, Kailus Hutchinson and Sam Ripper-Smith have also been let go.

“Every case was different,” Gold said.

“Some people are moving on, other guys have signed at other clubs and we are looking to reshape the size of our squad.

“Guys want game time and I respect that, so if we can’t give them that then we owe them the honest to say to them whether they are involved in the front line or not.

“Unfortunately, it is what happens in professional sport. There is not a strategy to get rid of people.”

He added: “Some guys had signed elsewhere before we knew whether we were safe from relegation and others asked whether they are going to get more game time.

“When they knew they weren’t or we have not be able to give them that guarantee they made decisions to move on or they have retired like Sam Betty.”

Centre Wynand Olivier and flanker Dewald Potgieter, who starred in the 28-23 defeat to Leicester Tigers last Saturday, are close to extending their stays at Sixways.

New signings Ethan Waller, Sam Olver, Simon Kerrod, Pierce Phillips and Tom Howe will join Warriors in the summer.

“I have got a lot of optimism in this group and I am really hoping that we can kicking on now,” Gold added.