Gatland’s Henson concern (From Campaign Series)

Gatland’s Henson concern

11:42am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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WALES star Gavin Henson has suffered a blow in his bid to fire the Ospreys to Heineken Cup glory after his damaged ankle ligaments ruled him out of the start of the new season.

The inside centre, who was back to his best as Warren Gatland's side sealed the Grand Slam but was forced to miss the summer tour to South Africa, underwent keyhole surgery to stabalise the joint in April and is still in plaster.

The 25-year-old is targeting a return in late September and that leaves him with a race against time to play in the Liberty Stadium side's Heineken Cup clashes.

The Ospreys have been drawn in a group with Leicester, Perpignan and Glasgow and the first two rounds of fixtures are on the weekends of October 10 and 17.

Henson has been plagued by injury since bursting onto the international scene seven years ago with groin, hand, knee and Achilles tendon problems forcing him to the sidelines and limiting him to 28 caps.

After struggling for options in the 12 shirts against the Springboks, Gatland will be watching closely to see if his midfield man can get some game time ahead of the autumn internationals.

But equally the Wales boss will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2005-6 season where Henson was rushed back from a groin injury and struggled to reach the heights he hit in helping Mike Ruddock's side to the Grand Slam.

But there is better news for another Wales star from the Swansea-based region with Mike Phillips recovering well from knee reconstruction.

The scrum-half damaged his Anterior Cruciate Ligament on his right leg in the EDF Energy Cup semi-final win over Saracens and is three months into rehabilitation with the goal of returning by the end of September or early November.

Ospreys physio Chris Towers said: "Mike is recovering well and at this stage is easily achieving all his targets in terms of physical recovery and is starting to develop his strength and power.

"Over the next week or so he'll resume controlled skill sessions, but he is still a long way from full contact work."

Ben Lewis, the highly-rated openside flanker who would have gone on the tour to face the Springboks but for injury, is also making progress from knee reconstruction and is targeting a November return.

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