Some good news - thanks Ross
Wasps' breakthrough player of the 2017/18 season, Jack Willis, is nearing a return to playing action.
The 22-year-old was destined to tour South Africa last summer with England before suffering an ACL knee rupture against Saracens in the Premiership play-off defeat in May.
In a recent Instagram post, the back row suggested the 'end was now in sight' from his lengthy rehabilitation period.
Director of rugby Dai Young gave an update after Wasps' 27-16 victory over Northampton Saints.
"Jack Willis is back running," said Young. "He's not due back until the block of four games. He's certainly not available for Europe.
"Then we have the Prem Cup, which I don't think he'll be available for. Hopefully he's back training that week so we'll see how it goes."
The block of four games Young is referring to begins when the Gallagher Premiership reconvenes with Wasps heading to Ashton Gate to face Bristol Bears on February 16, followed by home matches against Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons sandwiching the trip to Leicester Tigers - all inside a 20-day period.
"We have some players coming back now which is great for the squad to see and great for Jack now," added Young.
"Jack had a great start to last season, then he got robbed by an injury, hopefully the injuries are behind him.
"He'll certainly be a big asset for us coming on the field."
Latest on Gopperth, Matt Mullan and Alex Rieder
Willis is closer to a return than two other members of the 'long-term knee injury' at Wasps club as Young also revealed when other key players could make their returns.
"Jimmy's [Gopperth] further away, as is Alex Rieder and Matt Mullan," he said. "Hopefully Tommy Taylor and Simon McIntyre won't be too far away but that's in their hands from a concussion point of view.
"Ashley Johnson will only be two weeks so four quality players back in the mix."
Taylor and McInyre have been missing due to concussion issues since November 11, when both suffered blows to the head against Bristol Bears.
Johnson has missed the last two games after suffering an abdominal muscle complaint.
Young added: "Those four games are massive for everybody, not just us. You look at Sale, they came into this block of fixture bottom, they've had a lot of players back and haven't lost since.
"That highlights how important your main players are in this competition, because there's not much between the teams.
"Three of four injuries can tip a result one way or the other. Hopefully we can keep our boys on the field now."