ELTON Moncrief has banished the demons which tortured his first few months at Worcester Rugby Club.

That is the assessment of assistant coach Steve Townend who has seen at first hand the highs and extreme lows of the scrum half's disrupted season so far.

The New Zealander arrived at Sixways in the summer hoping for a fresh challenge after his world at Gloucester turned sour.

However, a persistent calf injury, which has dogged him from his Kingsholm days, put paid to any immediate star status at Worcester.

Moncrief has been unable to play 80 competitive minutes for his new club since his move and a balked comeback against Coventry when as a substitute he had to be replaced hardly lifted his spirits.

The former Gloucester man was said to be distraught after the reoccurrence of the injury but after being included in today's squad to face Rotherham, Moncrieff is again thinking positively.

"He has been for a couple of weeks now," said Townend.

"Since he got back training with the squad he has been very positive about the injury. He's obviously delighted to be included in the squad and if we can get him through 60 minutes everyone will be happy.

"With such a long-term injury, it is always in the back of you mind but in that respect we are trying to look after him.

"He's had very good treatment and in the Rotherham game, we always felt that him starting the game would be better than coming on as substitute because you warm up properly and you can build yourself up to the match."

"The injury got him down, there's no doubt about that because it has been such a difficult one to overcome.

"However, Elton is very focused on playing again now - he's certainly hungry that's for sure."