2 months ago
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Wales and Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright remains an injury concern for the autumn internationals after saying he is not sure when he will return from a serious hamstring injury.
Wainwright, 27, suffered the problem in the final minute of the first Test defeat against Australia in Sydney in July, which also was his 50th cap.
Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau is also an injury concern for Wales head coach Warren Gatland having missed the summer tour with a fractured shoulder.
Faletau says he hopes to be back by the end of October with Wales playing Fiji on 10 November before further games against Australia on 17 November and world champions South Africa six days later.
"I am getting there," said Wainwright.
"I went to see the surgeon again on Monday just to revisit a second scan and it's healing well.
"Hopefully I will be back soon, I have been running and it's just a case of getting my right and left legs up to the same strength.
"I have spoken to the physio department about it but don't want to make any targets, I want to make sure it's right and then go from there."
Wainwright revealed he is determined to return as soon as he is allowed.
"I keep having little battles with the physios about trying to push them to see how fast I can do things," said Wainwright.
"I have had three running sessions so far and Wednesday was my first with some of the other boys who weren't training.
"I was trying not to push myself to keep up with them but at the same time I want to get back early if I can, as long as it is safe to do so."
The Dragons' first block of United Rugby Championship (URC) games finish at the end of October with Wainwright not committing to a return in the first two months of the season.
"There have been conversations about what game but a lot depends on how my strength comes back," said Wainwright.
"I have done some testing scores that have been quite promising but whether they keep progressing as they have, we will see.
"I'll take each week as it comes and if things start to speed up, then I will hopefully align with that."
Wainwright admitted he is recovering from a significant injury, one that required surgery on his return from Australia.
"It felt bad," said Wainwright.
"I went in to clean one of the Australians out, my left leg slipped a bit as I went in and I overextended. I felt a little pop in my hamstring.
"I tore it away from the tendon and it was grade three tear, so I had surgery and it all went well.
"The first couple of weeks were boring on crutches and in a brace but that's normal and I have been moving around."
The recovery process is uncharted territory for Wainwright having avoided serious injury since making his Wales debut in 2018.
"I've had a little bit of luck along the way and made sure I have taken care of my body but now I am in the process of getting back," he said.
"It's my first major injury and first surgery so it's a new experience.
"I've tried to speak to some of the boys who have had the same thing and they all said that when they came back the one that they injured was stronger and in a better place than the other.
"I roomed with Ben Carter [Dragons and Wales lock] in Australia and he did something similar last season, so he reassured me and I asked him about his recovery process.
"It's been good to chat with someone and gauge where I am at in terms of my progress."
New Dragons captain Carter will lead the side in the final pre-season friendly against Bath on Friday.
Wales prop Leon Brown and full-back Cai Evans return from long-term injury, while internationals Rio Dyer and Matthew Screech also feature.
Back rower Shane Lewis-Hughes is set to make a first appearance since his summer move from Cardiff.
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