GETTING up at 5am for weeks on end to drive for over an hour to endure a punishing work-out in the gym with the prospect of setting foot on a pitch nothing more than a distant dream is not the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a career in professional rugby.

However, that has been the harsh reality for Warriors centre Hal Luscombe as he has trod the painstakingly long road to recovery from a serious knee injury.

The former Wales international has yet to feature for Warriors since switching from Harlequins last season, but is now on the verge of making his long-awaited debut for his new club after having an operation to remove a troublesome bone spur from his right knee.

Although Sixways director of rugby Mike Ruddock, who coached Luscombe at Newport Gwent Dragons before capping him for Wales, admits Sunday’s clash with Saracens at Vicarage Road will arrive to soon for the Cape Town-born back, the 27-year-old is raring to go.

Luscombe said: “I’ve just finished my first week back in training and Mike has suggested I might be ready to return in the home game against Bourgoin.

“That’s not definite yet, but the main thing is to get as much game time as possible before playing a Guinness Premiership match.”

The outside-centre is itching to get back on the pitch so he can start to repay his debt of gratitude to the club.

He added: “Make no bones about it, I have a massive debt to the players, coaches and fans for standing by me while I’ve been injured.

“It has been a bit lonely at times during my recovery. There have been lots of early starts too as Worcester get the injured players in first at 7am and, because I live in Wales, I’ve been getting up at 5.10am.

“All the hard work will be worthwhile, though, when I get back out on the pitch. The coaches have shown amazing belief in me when they could have just cancelled my contract instead.

“I have been fortunate that we have such a thorough team here, who have kept me fit while I’ve been injured.

“I’m just glad to be back in training with the guys now. Although I have not been playing, it has not been difficult to settle in because the guys are very forthcoming and have helped me fit in.”

During his watching brief, Luscombe has been hugely impressed by the work rate of everybody involved with the Warriors.

“The work ethic of everybody at Worcester is second to none,” he explained. “They work harder than at any club I’ve been at.

“The young guys from the academy slip seemlessly into the first-team too.

“There is an underlying spirit between the players, coaching staff and fans and that has really come to the fore in the last couple of games.”

To keep himself busy on match days, Luscombe, who is contracted until 2010, has swapped a rugby ball for a radio mic to commentate on his team-mates’ performances. He admits it was a strange experience to begin with and listeners may have found themselves wondering what on earth ‘bouncebackability’ meant or why there was a rhinocerous on the pitch.

However, Luscombe explained: “Doing the radio commentary has definitely made me go out of my comfort zone.

“I have to really concentrate on what is happening in the games, but it has been a good exercise.

“I’ve been challenged by a few of the guys to include certain words in the commentary. So far I’ve had to get in ‘bouncebackability’ and even ‘rhinocerous’ — but I managed to get them in somehow!”

Luscombe’s punditry has been well received, though, and he added: “There have been a few e-mails sent in from supporters who have enjoyed my commentary and some have even said that I’ve been funny.

“That is not something I have often been accused of!”