Heineken Cup
Borthwick touch and go for final
ESPN Staff
May 21, 2014
Steve Borthwick receives treatment for a chest injury during the Aviva Premiership semi-final © Getty Images
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Saracens are hopeful that captain Steve Borthwick will be fit to face Toulon in Saturday's Heineken Cup final.

Borthwick was substituted with an injury to his upper chest during Saracens' Aviva Premiership semi-final win over Harlequins, but the second row has now returned to light training and is on course to be fit for Saturday's showdown with the reigning champions.

"Steve has had a bit of a shock to his system but is progressing pretty well," Saracens coach Paul Gustard told the BBC.

But director of rugby Mark McCall sounded a more cautious note. He explained: "[Borthwick's] made some progress actually this week so I suppose we're optimistic, but we'll make a decision towards the end of the week.

"We wouldn't play him unless he's proven he can play, functionally he's got to be strong enough to play. We wouldn't gamble at all with him. He's got a significant injury to his pectoral muscle."

Borthwick, 34, is set to retire at the end of the season and has made a record 264 Premiership appearances during his 16-year career. Saracens face Toulon in Saturday's Heineken Cup final before taking on Northampton in the Aviva Premiership final next weekend.

"He is our club captain and it is known that Steve is retiring in two weeks' time," Gustard added. "It will be a fitting end to a fantastic career, for a guy who has played 57 times for his county and is the most-capped Premiership player, to finish with the Heineken Cup final and the Premiership final. Fingers crossed he will hopefully be fit for the weekend."

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