INFLUENTIAL scrum-half Francois Hougaard is almost “above target” and “flying” in his recovery from shoulder surgery, according to Worcester Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.

Hougaard was expected to be on the sidelines for “10 to 12 weeks” after the operation, meaning he might not be back until January.

The 28-year-old is due to see the specialist today for a follow-up consultation five weeks after the successful surgery.

Warriors head coach Carl Hogg said “Francois is almost above target. He’s very competitive and always looking to challenge himself and the physios – he’s flying.”

Hogg’s side are currently second from bottom in the Aviva Premiership after one just win and will be keen to get Hougaard back out on the pitch.

Warriors have a crunch bottom-of-the-table clash against Bristol at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day (3pm).

Hougaard returned to Sixways in October with an undiagnosed problem after damaging his shoulder while on duty with South Africa.

Hougaard arrived at Sixways in February and was the catalyst for Warriors’ upturn in form as they climbed to Premiership safety last season.

With Hougaard pulling the strings from nine, Warriors won four successive top-tier matches for the first time in their history.

He has played nine times for Worcester so far, scoring twice, and was named as the Aviva Premiership player of the month for March.

The scrum-half had previously picked up two Super Rugby titles in South Africa with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010.

Warriors centre Wynand Olivier, a close friend of Hougaard’s, believes scrum-half Jonny Arr has played well for Warriors this term.

“Francois plays a big part in what we want to do and has got loads of international experience,” said Olivier.

“A lot of the guys like Luke Baldwin and Jonny Arr learn off each other so it’s a little bit sad Francois got injured because he could have given a couple of directions here and there.

“But I think Jonny has been pretty good so far this season.

"He’s had Luke Baldwin pushing him so he’s been running the game pretty well and hopefully he can be keep doing it.”