The man who led Scotland to their historic Test series success in Argentina in the summer is targeting being fit for selection for the Autumn Tests. Glasgow Warriors lock Alastair Kellock will miss the start of the season having had off-season surgery on a knee injury.

But Kellock is determined to be fit in time to press his case for selection for Scotland’s opening game of the Autumn Tests – against New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday 13 November.

Kellock targeting Autumn Tests

He told www.glasgowwarriors.org today: “I’ll be working as hard as possible, as soon as my knee allows, to be back in time.”

Scotland team doctor James Robson said: “Al had a follow-up procedure last week on his knee injury and he will be working on his recovery with the Glasgow Warriors medical team.   The hope is that he will be available for consideration for the Autumn Tests.”

Dr Robson noted that, at this stage, scrum-half Chris Cusiter is likely to miss the Autumn Tests on account of a knee injury for which he will undergo surgery next week.

Tickets for the Autumn Tests are on sale now via www.scottishrugby.org or the ticket hotline number 0844 335 3933. The matches see Scotland play New Zealand on Saturday 13 November, kick-off 5.15pm; then South Africa on Saturday 20 November, kick-off 2.30pm; and conclude against Samoa on Saturday 27 November, kick-off 2.30pm. The matches against New Zealand and South Africa will be at Murrayfield, while the Samoa contest will be at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen.