Rhys Webb is on target for a September return from injury © Getty Images

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Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb is targeting the first weekend of the Rabodirect Pro12 season in September for his playing comeback after injury.

The Wales age-grade cap underwent keyhole surgery at the end of last season with a minor procedure on his shoulder in May and he's making encouraging progress. Speaking about his race for fitness, Webb said: "The shoulder is feeling 100 per cent again, I'm getting some strength back there. At the moment I'm working hard in rehab and conditioning. The physios and the conditioning coaches are really pushing me to get me ready for the start of the season.

Last season turned out to be a breakthrough campaign for the 22-year-old Webb, as he racked up 21 appearances for his region, 18 of them coming as starts, and he is unequivocal about what helped him make an impact.

"It's about being more professional in how you approach matches, and concentrating more on analysis. Learning my roles and what the opposition are doing. It's important to watch them, pay extra attention to what my opposite number does and then by game time you get a good understanding of what you are up against. It can make a big difference to how you perform."

With the impending arrival of new signing, Crusaders and Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i post Rugby World Cup, Webb knows that he faces a tough fight if he is to keep hold of the No 9 shirt he made his own in the second half of last season.

"I've been keeping an eye on him (Fotuali'i) over the summer, he's a quality player and we'll welcome him into the squad. The competition should make us both better players. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity at the start of the season, but when he comes here after the World Cup is when it'll get interesting.

"To be honest, I'm just really looking forward to just getting on the pitch again and being involved with the boys. Hopefully as a young group we can take some of the positives from last season and build on it to do even better for the team."