LONDON Welsh could see first-choice half backs Olly Barkley and Piri Weepu return to face Northampton at the Kassam Stadium in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday.

Fly half Barkley and scrum half Weepu have been sidelined by back and ankle problems respectively since the 23-3 defeat to Newcastle on October 11.

But defence coach Rowland Phillips described Barkley as “pretty close” to returning.

He said: “There wasn’t really a realistic chance of him being back for this week.

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“I think there is a realistic chance he could come back into the mix for next week.”

Phillips reported that Weepu’s protective boot came off last week, adding: “He is somebody now that is close to returning.”

With Barkley and Tristan Roberts both injured, veteran Gordon Ross and 21-year-old Will Robinson have been sharing the fly half duties, which Phillips said was working well.

“We know Gordon has got the experience and it is important we give Will the platform to continue with his development,” said Phillips.

“You have got a nice combination of two good players in your squad.”

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