SAM Lewis, who broke his leg while playing for Minehead Barbarians last season, is set to make a playing comeback.

The back rower has been attending the club's twice-weekly sessions in the build-up to the new season.

Former player-coach and centre Jack Claydon has also been training at the club, and visiting the gym four times a week after missing almost the entire season through injury.

Another centre Ollie Parfitt, who struggled last season through injury, is also on the way back.

Head coach Mick Orton continues to report good numbers at training. "Everything is going really well and we have been working on individual development," he said this week.

Minehead's first team start the league season with a home game against Wells on Saturday, September 2, and this is followed by an away fixture against Taunton.

Last season was dominated by injuries, particularly to key players, and this posed plenty of problems for Clayton in his first season in charge.

"It was so hard with so many injuries but the boys stuck at it," said Claydon. "It made it very difficult to field a settled side."