Chris Robshaw will return for Harlequins two weeks ahead of schedule in their Premiership clash against Newcastle at the Stoop on Saturday.

The former England captain will look to make a case for Warren Gatland to consider him for the Lions tour to New Zealand this summer.

Spots for a back-row place in Gatland's squad are set to be the most contentious, with a number of players impressing during the Six Nations.

Chris Robshaw is set to return for Harlequins two weeks early when they play Newcastle

The 30-year-old missed England’s championship-winning campaign after aggravating a shoulder injury on New Year’s Day and, in doing so, missed his golden opportunity to showcase his value in the northern hemisphere's premier competition.

Robshaw played an integral role in Eddie Jones's record-equalling side in the lead-up to the Six Nations, switching to No 6 from his usual openside.

It was a position which was admirably filled by Maro Itoje - who pressed his own case for Lions selection during the tournament.

But Robshaw has come up against adversity before, being stripped of the England captaincy in January last year - arguably a move which, coupled with his switch to blindside, improved his play.

And the Harlequins back-row will have three Premiership games to convince the Lions boss he is worthy of selection for the three-Test series against the All Blacks.

His omission from the 2013 Lions squad, also led by Gatland, will only add to his sense of determination to get the call at the squad announcement - which will take place on April 19.

Robshaw missed England's Six Nations winning campaign with a shoulder injury