STRENGTHENING neck muscles has been key to helping Gerrit-Jan van Velze in his long recovery from concussion, according to director of rugby Gary Gold.

The 29-year-old back row forward has returned to full training and Gold says he is playing with a “spring in his step”.

Since taking a blow to his head on the opening day of last season's Aviva Premiership, van Velze has had a frustrating spell on the side-lines.

The South African did not play another game for Warriors, but Gold believes his extensive time with the club’s medical team has paid off, insisting he was “probably in a better condition than he was before the injury”.

“GJ has trained full-on with everybody and is really looking good,” Gold said.

“While the lay-off was frustrating for him, he has been able to get a much-needed rest and he has come back with a real exuberance of youth.

“We have got an amazing medical team and Julie Hayton has gone a fantastic job with him. She has quite literally nursed him back to probably being in a better condition than he was before the injury.

“You can see it in the spring in his step and he is really training well, so long may it last.”

Gold admitted they had “picked up issues around neck strength” with van Velze, who has made 42 appearances for the club, which needed to be addressed before getting him back on the field.

“It was symptoms of concussion that were keeping him out,” Gold continued.

“But as a preventative measure they saw that one of the things that can help with concussion is neck strength from the studies that we have spent so much time in having a look at.

“The stronger the neck area is the more it is able to protect the head in collusion situations.

“That was a find that we stumbled on and I think it has made a big difference in GJ’s case.”

Warriors’ chief is also hopeful of having fly-half Tom Heathcote back fit for the start of the campaign after struggling with a head injury last season.

The ex-Scotland international made just one further outing, which came in February, after being knocked out against Wasps in November.

"It was similar (to GJ’s injury) as it was concussion, but it was different in terms of how the issue was presented," Gold added.

"Hopefully Tommy is back, fit and ready as he has been training the whole time."