DAVID Howell is due to make yet another injury comeback at the HNA Open de France today.

The 42-year-old has suffered a torrid time of late, with injury forcing him to pull out of his last two European Tour competitions.

Firstly, a back injury which flared up during the Nordea Masters at the beginning of the month cut short his time in Sweden.

Then a hip injury hindered his return at last week’s BMW International Open in Germany, when he withdrew on his birthday last Friday after completing nine holes of the second round at Golfclub München Eichenried.

After having an injection in his right hip just over two months ago, the two-time Ryder Cup winner has had a second dose ahead of this week’s event.

The Swindon star will now look to post a positive result after labelling the last few months as his ‘toughest period as a professional golfer’.

Howell was due to tee off at 7.50am BST this morning alongside fellow Englishman Robert Rock and South African George Coetzee.

Derry Hill’s Jordan Smith was also in action as he continues his debut season at golf’s highest level.

Smith, who is ranked 117 in the world, was also competing at the BMW International Open last week, where he finished in a tie for 44th place on a score of four-under-par.

The 24-year-old was handed a slightly earlier start time (7am) than Howell and was teeing off alongside Scotland’s Ryder Cup winner Stephen Gallacher and England’s Matthew Southgate.