WING Andy Short will banish four months of frustration when he pulls on a Worcester Warriors shirt in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup clash against Zebre at Sixways (3pm).

The 24-year-old’s homecoming was cut short in September when he suffered ankle ligament damage less than five minutes into Warriors’ opening warm-up match against Barbarians.

It was a huge disappointment for Worcester-born Short, who had been exiled to London Irish for the second half of last season after his decision to re-join Warriors angered Bristol coach Andy Robinson.

Now Short is back to fitness and aiming to impress against Italian side Zebre, who eased to a 27-8 win against Warriors in Parma in November’s pool four meeting.

“It’s been a long four months and I’ve done my hardest to get fit and, luckily, this window has appeared just as I have returned to fitness,” said Short.

“I got hurt four-and-a-half minutes into my comeback and it has been a tough four months on the rehabilitation process but I am fit now and looking forward to Saturday.

“I had my ankle ligament surgically repaired and the medical staff at the club have been fantastic.

“I have had a few weeks training under my belt and there was potential I was going to play in the A-League but, due to the bad weather that match was postponed, so I’ve had an extra few weeks training.”

Warriors’ chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the European competition appear remote after three defeats from four matches.

Worcester are bottom of the table with just two pool matches remaining.

Short, who progressed from the youth section to first team in his first stint at Worcester, is looking at the bigger picture and relishing the challenges ahead.

Cooper Vuna and Bryce Heem are Warriors’ first choice wingers but, with Tom Biggs suffering an ankle injury at Wasps, there might be opportunities for Short in the Premiership squad.

“There’s more of a competitive edge with this Worcester team than when I was here the first time,” said Short.

“It feels a lot different – it feels a lot more professional.

“This window of two European games is the perfect chance to showcase myself and get some games under my belt.

”I have played wing for a number of years and gathered experience and, although I am happy to slot in at 13, I see myself as a wing.

“Bryce Heem and Coops (Vuna) have been playing really well and when Biggsy has come in he’s stepped up and done well and that’s all you can ask for.

“It only makes me better and the team better because everyone is competitive but helping each other and pushing each other on.”

Short admits the mood in Warriors’ camp was deflated at the start of the week after their gut-wrenching last-gasp 32-22 Premiership defeat at Wasps.

He said: “Sport can be cruel sometimes and that was a game we definitely deserved to win.

“We know we are there or thereabouts and it’s just about learning from the experiences against Quins and Wasps and putting it right.

“Hopefully, the weather will hold and we can play some nice, running rugby on Saturday.

“But I can’t wait because I can finally get back into a Worcester shirt after a frustrating period of time.”