"I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I'll be fit for the start of the season," said Peel, whose initial prognosis suggested he would not be back playing until the end of 2008.

"There was doubt, but surgery and rehab have gone well. All I want is an injury-free season for club and country.

"I still want to play for Wales and that doesn't change by moving to Sale. It is just a case of playing club rugby in the Guinness Premiership."

The ex-University of Wales student played in all three Tests on the 2005 Lions tour after impressing during Wales' Grand-Slam winning season earlier that year. With so much competition for the scrum-half berth across Britain and Ireland, the lengthy absence had been a huge blow for Peel's chances of facing the Springboks in a year's time, but his speedy recovery will have no doubt been welcomed by Lions head coach Ian McGeechan.

Peel's earlier than expected return means Wales coach Warren Gatland is now likely to have his two first-choice scrum-halves available for the autumn Tests against South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia after the Ospreys announced that Mike Phillips continues to recover well following a knee reconstruction.