RETURNING centre Andy Symons has thanked Worcester Warriors’ fans for their messages of support during his eight months on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old made his comeback last night playing 69 minutes in Worcester’s 34-22 European Challenge Cup defeat against defending champions Gloucester at Sixways.

It was Symons’ first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in the build up to Worcester’s Championship play-off semi-final against London Scottish last season.

“The supporters have been fantastic,” said Symons.

“It was great to be out at Sixways again. There have been so many kind messages and so much support during my injury.

“I remember posting a video on social media during my rehabilitation and the amount of messages I got from that was great and I really appreciate it.”

“I was pretty devastated when I suffered the injury.

“It had been a long season with a lot of tough fixtures and we were ultimately building towards the play-offs.

“To have that taken away was pretty frustrating but I knew the likes of Ryan Mills, Max Stelling and Alex Grove could step up.”

Symons also praised the work of Philadelphia-based rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles, whom he visited in the USA.

“My knee feels great,” said Symons.

“It’s probably better than it was before my injury which is all credit to the physios and for the club for sending me to the USA to see Bill.

“The matches are just stepping stones for me at the moment – it’s a box ticked.

“The centres at the club are in such good form at the moment it’s difficult to get into the Premiership side after one or two games. All I can do is do my best.”

Warriors will struggle to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup after their 34-22 defeat against Gloucester, who top pool four.

But Symons looks set to get another run-out when Worcester travel to Kingsholm to face Gloucester in the return fixture next Thursday (7.45pm).

“I was really happy to blow a few cobwebs away and get out there and run around with the boys but, as a team were are pretty frustrated with the performance,” said Symons.

“I knocked my neck early on. I tackled with my face a little bit bt it was great to get back involved and the nerves went pretty quickly when the whistle went.

“Gloucester are a strong team so we need to get better for next week. They pinned us back really well and we need to learn from that.

“We now have to go to Kingsholm and get a win - and that’s all we can focus on.”