STUART Hogg is set to return to action for Glasgow this weekend after making good progress from a shoulder injury.
The British and Irish Lions full-back was forced home early from the summer tour after suffering a facial injury, and then had surgery on an ongoing shoulder complaint which ruled him out of the start of the season.
However after initially being told he would be out for around four months, Hogg has made good progress and will return to the match-day squad against Leinster in the European Champions Cup this weekend.
The Warriors suffered their first defeat of the season away at Exeter on Saturday, but will be boosted by the return of the influential full-back in what assistant coach Jason O’Halloran has described as a game “we need to win”.
“Stuart was running around today, and he was close to being selected against Exeter so I’m sure he will be some part of the 23 whether he’s starting or (coming) off the bench,” the New Zealander said.
“We’re in a position where we need to win, desperately, after getting no points in our first away game.
“So we need to put our best team possible out there, but at the same time Ruaridh Jackson has been outstanding in Hoggy’s absence, and I thought he played really well against Exeter.”
A perfect start to the Guinness PRO14 season was tempered by defeat against the Chiefs on Saturday.
Despite taking an early lead, they eventually fell to a 24-15 loss, while Leinster picked up a bonus point in a 24-17 triumph over Montpellier to set up a tasty encounter at Scotstoun this weekend, and O’Halloran highlighted the need to stop Jonny Sexton as crucial to picking up a result.
“They have a magnificent front row, and a solid pack and a great game driver in Sexton,” he said. “We need to play with our heads up and what’s in front of us.”
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