IAN Evans has his sights primed on next weekend's Magners League kick-off, determined to shed his tag as one of the forgotten men of Welsh rugby.

The 6ft 8in lock has been plagued by injury over the last three years and was a peripheral figure as the Ospreys stormed to a third Celtic league title last season.

Evans also saw himself fall down the Welsh pecking order after breakthrough seasons for both Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris.

With regional skipper Alun Wyn Jones a shoo-in for Warren Gatland's starting XV and the experienced Ian Gough and Deiniol Jones challenging strongly for places, Evans faces a major battle to claim a place in his second World Cup next autumn.

But it is clear the 25-year-old is up for the fight.

"The injury situation has been frustrating, but you can't do much about it other than work to get back to fitness," said Evans.

"To be honest, with my knee injury and then tearing my pec muscle I had to write off most of last season, the boys established themselves in the squad and it was tough to try and push them out without any game time.

"I had to bite the bullet, but I have had a full pre-season and am looking forward to getting stuck in.

"It is all about confidence when you get back from a big injury, simple things like walking and running were tough.

"Hopefully I have turned the corner and I am lot happier with the knee. Last season I was taking anti-inflammatories after every training session, I was just digging in with the pain.

"I know, first and foremost, I have got to get back playing regular rugby for the Ospreys and then hopefully I can catch the eye.

"I want to get myself into a position where I can push for honours.

"I have definitely missed it. Playing for Wales is what you aspire to. I have seen players like Brad and Deiniol come in and it is up to me to try and budge them out the way."

Evans, who won his last cap against the All Blacks in November 2008, is hoping to be named in the Ospreys side for the Magners League opener against Ulster on September 3.

The region, meanwhile, have appointed leading nutritionist John Williams to their back-room team.

Williams, who is employed by the Welsh Rugby Union for the national team, has been brought on board by the Ospreys on a consultancy basis.

The 38-year old has previously worked with football clubs, including Bolton, Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Leicester.

Robert Lloyd