Taylor targets November comeback

Scotland number eight Simon Taylor is targeting a return to action by November - but admits being up to speed in time for the autumn Test matches might be too much to ask.

Taylor suffered a knee injury in May and knows it will be unlikely that he has regained the requisite poise and sharpness to line up in the games against Romania, the Pacific Islands and Australia on consecutive Saturdays between November 11 and 25.

"I don't know when my comeback is going to be at this point, but I think (the autumn Tests) might be asking a bit much," he said. "As my surgeon has told me, all I can do is concentrate on getting back, and whenever that is will take care of itself."

He added: "It will be a few weeks yet, but it's best not to worry about when and just concentrate on getting myself fit."

The 27-year-old, who has been plagued by an horrendous series of injuries in recent years, was speaking after completing his first training session with Scotland since rupturing the medial ligament in his knee while playing for Edinburgh against Connacht last May.

Taylor has still to attempt a contact session, but the Murrayfield medical team plan to step up his recuperation process over the next month.

"It's a hard injury because you're basically immobilised for 10 weeks, which means you lose all the muscle tone in your leg - so it has been hard getting that back," said Taylor.

"There is no secret formula, you have just got to go out and run, get your leg used to changing direction again, and get it used to all the different movements you make during a game.

"It has been fairly monotonous, especially at first because I couldn't do much, but last week I started training with Edinburgh and then today I was working with Scotland, so I'm beginning to get there.

"In fact I feel as fit as I have ever done. Working with the guys again is a pleasant change to being stuck plugging away on your own. It's a different kind of motivation and atmosphere, and it's good to be back. I've not found it hard getting back into the actual rugby training."