CENTRE Wynand Olivier insists he has got to show he is able to “produce the goods” before starting talks over his Worcester Warriors future.

After 11-and-a-half months on the sidelines Olivier took to the field last weekend to help Warriors defeat Stade Francais 37-28 in Paris in the European Challenge Cup.

The former South Africa international is now set to make his first outing at Sixways in a year when Warriors take on Ospreys today (3pm).

Although Olivier missed almost the entire 2017-18 campaign his performances in the previous two seasons made him a hugely popular figure at the club.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons also handed the 35-year-old a contract extension in February, stressing his experience was “vital” to his squad.

But with his new deal set to expire next summer and competition in Warriors’ midfield increasing Olivier is determined to prove his worth on the pitch.

“I have been injured now for 11 months so it’s not a case where I can start talking to the coaches or the club about future possibilities,” Olivier said.

“I have got to prove that I am still willing and able to produce the goods with guys like Ollie Lawrence and Will Butler coming through and the likes of Ben Te’o and Ryan Mills who are all quality players.

“If I can still push for a position then there might be a possibility.

“If not then I will have to start re-evaluating things and see where I am at.

“But at this time I think it is a little bit early to make decisions or say what’s going to happen over the next four to eight months.”

Following his arrival in 2015 Olivier started 18 of his first 23 outings for Worcester before scoring 10 tries in 23 appearances in the 2016-17 campaign.

But he sustained a huge blow in October last year when he tore his “hamstring tendon off the bone” in a match at Harlequins.

After undergoing surgery in February, the 2007 World Cup winner said he chose not to go on holiday and instead spent the summer getting in shape only to suffer groin and hip issues.

It was a tough time for Olivier but he refused to give up.

“There are a lot of things that go through your mind at that stage,” Olivier said.

“Having the operation was one thing but when I had a setback four months later that’s when you start asking yourself a lot of questions.

“I am not as young as most boys but I still have the drive. I still want to be here and still want to make a difference.

“Worcester is very close to my heart.”

Olivier was thrust straight back into the action against Stade Francais, replacing the injured Ashley Beck on three minutes.

He said he felt “a little rusty at times” but was delighted to play a part in a “special” victory.

“After the weekend my body was a bit sore as I only had three training sessions so to then play nearly 80 minutes was not ideal,” Olivier said.

“But it happened and I would not have had it any other way.

“At this stage I have got the drive. I want to work hard and I will play as long as I can if I can make a difference.

“As soon as that stops then maybe I will call it a day.

“If that’s in a year’s time, I am not sure. We will see how the season goes before I make any decision on that.

“I still feel pretty good and am enjoying it so why not (continue playing)?”