Initial reports suggested the Ospreys man would be sidelined for 12 weeks meaning he would miss the February 4 home clash with England and a trip to Murrayfield to take on Scotland on February 12.

But the Welsh region have revealed they are hopeful their star will be able to feature in their Heineken Cup match with Toulon on January 22 and get some vital game time under his belt.

"Shane is five weeks post-op and is coming along well," said Ospreys physio Chris Towers.

"He is working hard and doing two or three sessions per day, so we are rehabbing him as hard as we can.

"He's making good progress and we aren't ruling out a possible return for the Toulon game, which is in line with our original best case scenario, although he still has some way to go yet."

The news of Williams’ imminent return will come as a big boost to Gatland who has already seen injury hit a host of his stars.

Although wing Leigh Halfpenny hopes to return for the Cardiff Blues for their New Years Eve clash with the Ospreys teenage sensation George North will miss the start of the Six Nations after shoulder surgery.

And with full-back Lee Byrne and fly-half Stephen Jones facing races against times with their respective thumb and knee injuries Gatland will be keeping his fingers crossed that Williams can play some part in the Millennium Stadium showdown with England.