FORGOTTEN flanker Dewald Potgieter is doing “some of his rehab in South Africa” as he battles back to full fitness ahead of the new Premiership season.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons confirmed Worcester Warriors have agreed to allow Potgieter to spend time in his native country while he recovers from his knee injury.

The South African has not played for Warriors since being helped off the field in their pre-season clash with Hartpury at Sixways 12 months ago.

But Solomons said Potgieter remained on the road to recovery, stressing “these things sometimes take a little bit of time”.

“He is still rehabbing,” Solomons said.

“We have come to an agreement that he can do some of his rehab in South Africa.”

Potgieter has made 20 appearances for Worcester since arriving at Sixways in February 2016 from Japanese side Yamaha Jubilo.

The 31-year-old also captained Warriors on three occasions in the 2016-17 campaign but his hopes of playing the following term were dashed last summer.

“These things sometimes take a little bit of time,” said Solomons on Potgieter’s bid to return to action.

“It happens to players and we want to assist him.”

Asked whether he was likely to be fit for the start of the new season, Solomons said: “We have got to wait to see how it plays out. Let’s see what happens.

“He was here at the start of pre-season and then we came to an agreement that he would move out (to South Africa) shortly before we went to the camp (in Spain).

“When you are rehabbing sometimes being around your family can be very helpful. There is no harm in it.

“The people are well qualified to assist him with the rehab so the club is willing to assist in that regard.”

Should Potgieter fail to get back up to full speed in time for the league opener against Wasps at Sixways on Saturday, September 1, Solomons has got plenty of back rowers fighting it out for the three starting slots, including academy ace Ted Hill.

“We have got lads who can play there,” Solomons said.

“Ted has very much been part and parcel of our practises. He came with us on the camp which I think was very beneficial for him.

“But obviously we have got to make sure that he has his five-week break as well as he played in the junior world championships.

“We have got a guy like Ted and then there is Carl Kirwan who has come back from a lot of injuries.

“He has got the odd niggle at the moment.

“You have also got Coxy (Matt Cox), Foti (Alafoti Fa’osiliva), Cornell (du Preez), Matti Williams, Sammy Lewis, Marco (Mama), GJ (van Velze) and Doddsy (Todd Dodd) so we are well covered in that regard.

“We have got Zac (Xiourouppa) who has been playing in New Zealand as well. He is due to come back quite soon.”