Michalak to recover by January

France fly-half Frederic Michalak could return to action as early as January, according to Toulouse physiotherapist Christophe Foucaud.

It was originally thought that the 22-year-old would be out of action for between six and eight weeks after he sustained a badly sprained ankle injury during Toulouse’s recent Heineken Cup victory over Northampton.

However, Foucaud said yesterday that Michalak’s recuperation was going better than anticipated, and that he could be available early in the new year.

France coach, Bernard Laporte, will desperately want Michalak to be available for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations, when Les Bleus will aim to defend their Grand Slam crown. Laporte is already without back-up fly-half Julien Peyrelongue, who has a knee injury.

France will open their campaign against Scotland on February 5.