Australia Rugby
Pocock to return against Wales
ESPN Staff
November 24, 2012
Wallabies skipper David Pocock spins a pass in training, Australia training session, Sydney, Australia, August 14, 2012
Australia's David Pocock has been struggling with a calf injury © PA Photos
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Australia are optimistic that flanker David Pocock will be fit for the final match of their European tour against Wales in Cardiff next week.

The influential openside flanker has been struggling with a calf injury which forced him to miss Tests against France two weeks ago and England last weekend. But Australia coach Robbie Deans is confident Pocock - who has not played for the Wallabies since suffering knee ligament damage in the opening Bledisloe Cup match with New Zealand in August - will be ready to face Wales in Cardiff next weekend.

"He's been running this week and hopefully he'll be available to us next week," Deans told AAP. "We're just being precautionary and I guess we've got the luxury of being able to do that."

Deans says Pocock could have potentially returned for the Wallabies' clash with Italy this Saturday but the Australia coach was happy to give the flanker another week to recover with Michael Hooper and Liam Gill in impressive form.

"We've got Hoops (Michael Hooper) and Gilly (Liam Gill) and they're both fully fit and so we see no reason to push David," Deans said. "I suspect if pressed he could have played this week, yes, but if he's not 100 (per cent) you won't see him in Cardiff."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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