Winger Shane Williams could return from injury in time for Wales' Six Nations curtain raiser against England on February 4.
Injured Welsh winger on target to return for England opener
Winger Shane Williams could return from injury in time for Wales' opening Six Nations fixture against England in Cardiff on February 4.
Williams has been sidelined since dislocating his shoulder during last month's home defeat to world champions South Africa.
And Wales were in danger of being without their record international try-scorer for both the game against England and also their encounter with Scotland at Murrayfield eight days later.
After undergoing surgery Williams, who has scored 51 tries in 75 Tests, was initially ruled out for between 10-12 weeks.
But Ospreys have said Williams' recovery has been progressing well and that the 33-year-old could be back before the end of January.
Physiotherapist Chris Towers said that Ospreys' were eyeing their final Heineken Cup pool game against Toulon on January 22 as a possible comeback date.
Progress
"Shane is five weeks post-op and is coming along well," said Towers. "He is working hard and doing two or three sessions per day, so we are rehabbing him as hard as we can.
"He's making good progress and we aren't ruling out a possible return for the Toulon game, which is in line with our original best case scenario, although he still has some way to go yet."
News of a return for the former world player of the year will come as a massive boost for both club and country.
Ospreys are currently engaged in a three-way battle with Toulon and Munster to secure top spot and an automatic quarter-final place in Pool Three of the Heineken Cup.
And Wales coach Warren Gatland will be over the moon to have a fully-fit Williams at his disposal - especially after losing teenage Scarlets wing George North from his early Six Nations plans with a shoulder injury.
