INJURED centre Ben Te’o downplayed his hopes of being back for the start of Worcester Warriors’ Premiership campaign.

Te’o is recovering from a quad muscle injury sustained while training with England ahead of their tour to South Africa this summer.

After a successful operation director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was "optimistic" the 31-year-old would be fit for their season opener against Wasps on September 1.

But Te’o reckoned the Midlands derby at Sixways “might be a little bit too soon” as he battles his way back to full fitness.

“I have just been focusing on rehab and getting my leg right after surgery and trying to get fit,” Te’o said.

“I was just training with England and unfortunately got hurt so I couldn’t tour.

“But since then I have been focusing on just getting it right.”

On his chances of facing Wasps, Te’o added: “I am not sure yet as I have got to look back at my pre-season schedule.

“The first round might be a little bit too soon but we will have to see.”

Te’o said he was hoping for a “clean run” of injuries this season after spending a large chunk of the 2017-18 campaign on the sidelines.

The former Leinster star played in Warriors’ opening seven games before suffering a blow to his ankle in the European Challenge Cup which ruled him out until the start of the Six Nations in February.

He then returned to action with Warriors in March and helped them to retain their top-flight status.

“Personally my hopes this year are to stay injury-free and just get out there and play,” Te’o said.

“I started off last season and then I got injured.

“It was probably not ideal preparation but I got myself together towards the back end of the year.

“It would be quite nice to have a clean run but I understand it is rugby union, it is a tough game and injuries are just part of it.

“It is never nice to get injured and have a full reconstruction of your ankle with metal plates and screws put in it.

“Even to get injured and have your muscle reattached to your tendons is not nice either.

“But that’s is part of the game and sometimes you miss games through injury.

“Back row and centre are pretty tough positions as they usually get banged up a lot.”