RYAN Jones is set return to full training with the Ospreys next week, easing concerns over his troublesome thigh injury.

The 29-year-old (right) bruised a bone in his right leg while playing for Wales in the second Test against New Zealand earlier this summer.

A bulletin released by the region eight days ago suggested it might take three to four weeks before Jones would be up and running, but the picture has improved.

Head coach Sean Holley said: "Ryan will be out for a couple of weeks.

"He has had some good news and is on the mend. He started running again on Monday and we are hoping to get him back into full training next week.

"Whether he'll make our home game with Treviso a week tomorrow, I don't know."

In Jones's absence, the Ospreys will start with Jonathan Thomas at No. 8 for the Magners League opener with Ulster tomorrow evening, the former Swansea man switching from second row, where he played for the region last season.

Thomas starts alongside three other players who toured New Zealand, with Dan Biggar featuring at fly-half, Andrew Bishop lining up at inside centre and Ian Gough figuring at lock.

Huw Bennett, Paul James and Lee Byrne are on the bench.

"With the injuries in our squad it's a necessity for some of the Wales boys to play this week," said Holley.

"JT, Biggs, Paul James, Huw Bennett and Lee Byrne are all still in the middle of their pre-seasons, so it's not ideal.

"What we'll have to do is find windows for the likes of JT to complete their pre-season training when the others come back."

Jerry Collins leads the Ospreys at Ravenhill, with Marty Holah on the openside flank and Richard Fussell making his competitive bow for the region.

Ospreys: G. Owen; N. Walker, S. Parker, A. Bishop, R. Fussell; D. Biggar, J. Nutbrown; R. Bevington, M. Davies, C. Mitchell, I. Gough, I. Evans, J. Collins, J. Thomas, M. Holah. Reps: H. Bennett, P. James, C. Griffiths, J. Goode, B. Lewis, R. Webb, L. Byrne, S. Williams.

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