GERRIT-Jan van Velze insists he is fitter, faster and free of any lingering concussion fears as he puts his body on the line for Worcester Warriors.

This time last year the number eight was questioning whether he would ever play again as he nursed a worrying head injury.

But since returning from his 11-month lay-off van Velze has not looked back, making 15 appearances this term.

The 29-year-old South African said he was no longer “worried” about getting a repeat of the concussion which threatened to end his career.

But he revealed those fears were still there when he threw himself into tackles at the start of this season.

“In my first four games back since pre-season, including the first two Premiership fixtures, those worries were still in the back of my mind,” van Velze said.

“But there are so many other niggles you can pick up out there you completely forget about it which is great.

“I think the hype around concussion makes people a bit more worried. But I am glad to be out there playing again.

“I am not wondering about my head, not worried about concussion and not worried about collisions.”

After suffering the blow to his head in the opening game of last season, van Velze went through numerous tests with the club’s medical team headed by Julie Hayton.

But he also spent time working with Warriors’ head of strength and conditioning Eamonn Hyland and believes it is paying dividends.

“I would not wish this on my biggest enemy to go through what I went through,” van Velze said.

“But it made me a better person which I am grateful for. It was the first time I had a long-term injury since I have been playing professionally since the age of 18.

“I am turning 30 next month so to get an 11-month lay-off makes you hungry and appreciate the game a bit more.

“I have spent a lot of time changing the way I train since working with Eamonn and Jules and they deserve a lot of credit.

“I have a different approach to the way I see my own body and the way I get through 80 minutes.

“I think I am much fitter than I used to be and I have dropped a bit of weight which makes me more agile around the park.

“I think that shows in the amount of metres I cover and the involvement I have in matches so this is all stuff I can judge my game on.”

Van Velze has scored nine tries in 57 games for Warriors since joining from Northampton Saints in the summer of 2014.

And the former captain said he was “excited about the club” who appointed Alan Solomons as director of rugby last month.

“I am happy with how I am reacting to the amount of rugby I have played this season,” van Velze added.

“I am happy with my own performances and I am excited about the club now again. It’s like an added bit of fuel to the fire.

“I have got one more season (on my contract) after this and I am really happy with where I am now.”