Hook has missed the first two games of the new season as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery but the 25-year-old remains confident he will be back in time for the Welsh derby at the Parc-y-Scarlets on October 2.
The former Neath star expects to miss two more Magners League matches having already sat out Wales’ summer tour to New Zealand at the end of what was an outstanding season for the Lions tourist.
Hook was in stunning form for Wales last season, repeatedly impressing in his new midfield role during the Six Nations and in the June encounter with South Africa at the Millennium Stadium.
And if Hook hits his return target it will not only be good news for the Ospreys, it will also be a major boost for Warren Gatland and for Wales.
A Round 5 return would mean Hook would have up to five competitive games under his belt by the time Wales host Australia in the first of four autumn internationals in Cardiff on November 6.
“It’s coming on really well, I’m lifting better in the gym and it feels a lot better,” said Hook.
“It feels good. The next couple of weeks’ training should be pretty intense now, and hopefully I can show that I’m ready to play again.
“I’m working hard in the gym, and I’m looking forward to getting some rugby sessions in to really test my shoulder.
“The target I was set was the start of October and that’s definitely looking achievable now, which is great. The real test will be the first contact session to see how it holds up, but at the moment I’m on track.”
The Ospreys have won one, lost one of their two opening Magners League fixtures and Hook admits it’s not been easy to sit back and watch his team-mates take the field without him.
But while the lay-off may be frustrating, he is convinced that making a full recovery is by far the most important target for him, his region and his country, especially with the 2011 World Cup looming large.
“Ideally I want to get a bit of game-time so that I can be in contention to play against Toulon (in the Heineken Cup) but it’s important that I’m 100-per-cent ready.
“There’s no point coming back a week or two early and risk putting myself out again. If I don’t get back for the end of the month it’s not the end of the world, it’s important for me to be fit first rather than just trying to get on for the sake of it.
“It’s never easy to be on the injury list, sitting out match preparation and watching the games from the stands, but the way it has worked out it’s only been a handful of games I’ve missed and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
“I’ve effectively had an extended pre-season and I’ve enjoyed that if I’m honest, it’s been a change for me seeing as I didn’t go away with Wales and didn’t have to rush back for the start of the new season.
“It’s a long season and, when the time comes around, I’ll hopefully be in peak condition. It’s such a long season that the extra month off at the start of the season should really benefit me in the long run.”
