Cardiff Blues: Sam Warburton vows to be fit for autumn Tests

Flanker Sam Warburton expects to have recovered from the injury that ended his British and Irish Lions tour in time to lead Wales in the autumn.

The Lions captain injured his hamstring during the second Test defeat by Australia in Melbourne,

Warburton missed the Lions' record 41-16 win over the Wallabies in Sydney.

"The initial diagnosis was 12-16 weeks, I have been in doing rehab and we are on course for that," said the Cardiff Blues flanker.

"There have been no hiccups as yet, 16 weeks is the target, and all is going good so far."

Warburton has been sidelined with a torn hamstring he injured in the second half of the Lions' 16-15 defeat by the Wallabies in the second Test.

He was replaced by fellow countryman, Alun Wyn Jones, as captain for the series decider at the ANZ Stadium.

Wales face South Africa in the opening Test of the autumn series at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 9 November.

The reigning Six Nations champions also play Argentina, Tonga and Australia in Cardiff during the same month.

The 24-year-old accepts he will have to prove himself with the Blues when he returns but has already pencilled in the start of the capital city side's Heineken Cup campaign for his comeback.

Cardiff Blues kick off their Heineken Cup Pool 2 campaign when they travel to face English outfit Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Sunday, 13 October.

"If I could get back sometime in October, that would be good," said Warburton.

"It will be difficult with the Blues to walk straight back into the side, obviously you have to work your way in, but Heineken Cup rugby is great to be involved in.

"If I can get back for that, that would be awesome."