BACK rower Matt Cox is expected to be back in action for Worcester Warriors’ upcoming European Challenge Cup double-header with Oyonnax.

The 29-year-old forward was in fine form for Warriors before sustaining a bicep injury in what director of rugby Gary Gold described as an “innocuous” incident in training in early October.

Redditch-born Cox faced up to 10 weeks on the sidelines, but Gold confirmed the ex-Gloucester ace was making a speedy recovery.

Warriors’ boss does not think he will be ready to tackle Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership on Friday (7.45pm).

But Cox looks set to be available for Worcester’s clashes against Oyonnax as they bid to boost their qualification hopes in the competition.

Warriors will play host to the French outfit a week on Saturday before facing them again at the Charles Mathon the following Friday.

“Matt is hopefully due back from injury if not this week then in the next couple of weeks,” Gold said.

“I don’t think he will be ready this weekend but he is coming along quite quickly.

“Every injury is unfortunate, but especially for Matthew as he was playing quite well for us at the time, so it would be good to have some guys like him returning hopefully sooner than we anticipated.”

Flanker Dewald Potgieter is also scheduled to return in December as he battles to overcome a knee injury.

The 30-year-old was ruled out for four months in late August after suffering the blow in a pre-season game against Hartpury.