Sam Warburton skippered the Lions to their first series win since 1997 © Getty Images

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British & Irish Lions skipper Sam Warburton has said he is "on course" for a return to action in the second round of the Heineken Cup.

Warburton sustained a hamstring injury in the second Lions Test against the Wallabies and was originally ruled out for four months. But Warburton is optimistic that he could be back in action in time for the Cardiff Blues' match against Toulon on October 19 at the Arms Park.

"The diagnosis initially was 12-16 weeks," Warburton told Sky Sports. "I've been in doing rehab and working on it and we're on course for that. There have been no hiccups yet and 16 weeks is the target and all going well so far.

"If I get back for that (second round of Heineken Cup matches) that will be good for me. It'll be difficult with the Blues to walk straight back into the side as you have to work your way back in. But October with Heineken Cup Rugby is a time to be involved with the game and hopefully I can get back for that."

The news will come as a welcome boost to the Blues with Warburton potentially lining up alongside fellow Lions stars Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert. And while Halfpenny's future is still up in the air with his contract up at the end of the season, his Welsh team-mate Toby Faletau has committed to the Dragons until 2016.

Warburton will now turn attention to his own future with his current deal with the Blues finishing next summer.

"When it comes to those decisions, there are a million and one things to think about," Warburton added. "I heard about Toby staying this morningwhich was great news for Welsh rugby. There's a lot of players in a similar position where you only have a year left on your contract.

"The last month has been anything but rugby. But now I have a chance to start thinking about my future. I have a year left at the Blues and I will look forward to that, there's a new pitch at the Arms Park which I can't wait to play on. Wales is definitely my home for the next year for sure. I guess the early stages of negotiations will start now and hopefully we can work something out."