Tom Johnson: Exeter Chiefs flanker set for return

Tom Johnson made his Exeter debut in the old National One in September 2007

Exeter and England flanker Tom Johnson will return next week having missed all of the season with a neck injury.

The 32-year-old, who has eight caps, has not played in June and had an operation on his neck in October.

"Tom Johnson is probably going to play in our A League game next week," Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter told BBC Devon.

Exeter's second-string travel to face Wasps in their penultimate Premiership A League game on 22 December.

Johnson became the first Exeter player to appear for England since they were promoted to the Premiership in 2010 when he went on their tour to South Africa in 2012.

Johnson has started five international matches in total and scored his only try in a 54-12 win over Fiji in November 2012.