Harlequins coach Tony Diprose has insisted centre George Lowe will not be rushed back into Premiership action, despite making his competitive return from injury this week.

The 23-year-old played around an hour of Monday’s 27-3 A League defeat to Saracens to bring to a halt a 12 month injury lay off with a career threatening neck injury.

Lowe, who was unable to cap his return with a try but did show some of his trademark pace, was given the all clear to play last week having proved his fitness for selection.

Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea has struggled with his midfield pairings this term due to injury as the club have opened up with three wins from their opening five games, including Saturday’s 52-0 thrashing of London Welsh.

But Diprose insisted there is no need to fast track the former Epsom College student back in to the starting line-up because he has to prove his worth first.

“George has worked incredibly hard,” he said.

“He has been through some very tough times in that year when there have been some doubts whether he would actually come back at all.

“Clearly we’re not going to throw him straight back in at the deep end, but we expect to see a competitive George Lowe push himeslf back through into the first team over the next month.

“He is a very high quality Premiership player, who has gone on England tours and there is a reason for that.

“Tom Casson and Matt Hopper were outstanding at the weekend and they are the ones in possession of the shirt, so someone will have to grab it back by their performances.

“We’re not putting any pressure on him in getting back to the first team. That will happen when he is ready.”