Bath's Michael Lipman returned to the rugby pitch on Saturday just weeks after concerns he may have to give the game up.

The England flanker and his club's captain admitted there were worries that, having been knocked out five times this season, there may be something wrong that would stop him continuing his career.

But, after two months out, several tests and some long talks, the 29-year-old is back and played a full 73 minutes of the 36-25 home Guinness Premiership victory over Newcastle.

Lipman performed well, showing hardly any signs of rustiness, and said: "I didn't want to go out there and do too much at all. I just wanted to get through and do the simple things right.

"I'm really happy to be back playing. I was really worried at certain stages over the last couple of months but I'm well rested and it will be a good end to the season, I hope."

Fears for his future had entered his head during his lay-off. The ten-times capped back row added: "Of course those things cross your mind. I had a lot of reassurance from a lot of top dogs in those areas. That's all you need.

"I had a really good chat with a guy over in Guernsey where I underwent five hours of testing. He specialises in that area and he was fantastic and gave me that reassurance that everything is okay.

"Half the battle is getting through that. There is a doubt there so, when you get a guy who says everything is okay and here's the proof to back it up, that's great.

"On the Monday morning, I woke up feeling a lot better. The problem was when I exercised but I felt fine. It is a weird thing to be able to describe what you were feeling so I'm happy to be back playing although it is still early days."

Wing Joe Maddock grabbed two of Bath's three tries and is now up to 11 for the season in the Premiership.

The victory also keeps Bath firmly in the end-of-season league play-off hunt as they recorded their tenth Premiership victory of the season.