BARRY Davies can finally see light at the end of the tunnel after 10 months of injury misery at the Ospreys.

The full-back could be just weeks away from returning from the groin problem that has plagued him last November and forced him to undergo two operations.

He initially damaged a tendon in the LV= Cup match against Bath.

It had been hoped surgery would put it right, but when he returned against Edinburgh in the spring he suffered a recurrence, bringing his season to an end and meaning he had to go under the knife yet again.

But there are clear signs that his ordeal is coming to a close, with a comeback possible before the end of the month.

"It's been a long time, a long process to get where I am, but I think I'm coming towards the end of it and should be playing again before long," said Davies.

"I'm definitely heading in the right direction.

"I've started doing a lot more running and more physical work and hopefully I'll be involved in some rugby sessions this week.

''It's good to be able to see the progress.

"I'm feeling good and there hasn't been a reaction, which is excellent news.

"I'm just looking forward to getting back on the pitch because it's been a long time.

"I want to repay the Ospreys for the investment they've made in my medical care by playing some rugby again."

Signed from Brive in the summer of 2009, Davies made a big impression in his early weeks at the Ospreys.

The Wales international won two players' player-of-the-day awards in the first two of months of the season, only for his luck to run out.

Since then he admitted his mental strength has been tested to the limit.

"I've been in some dark places," he admitted.

"A groin injury is difficult to deal with, but I'm happy to be getting over it now and hopefully it will continue improving.

"I try to keep positive.

"There have been some good guys with me in long-term injured group.

''I've got to know Duncan Jones well and we had Lyndon Bateman with us last season.

"They are positive people who will always look to the plus side and are good at keeping people's spirits up.

"Hopefully, in the next few weeks I can do my bit to start lifting the squad when I rejoin them for training."

Now 29, Davies added: "As I've got older I think I've learnt to appreciate being a rugby player more.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there and competing for a place.

"I've got a feeling that it's going to be a good year for the Ospreys and I want to play a bigger part, make more of a contribution than I did last season."