Wallabies and Rebels back Kurtley Beale could make an early return to playing rugby as his injury is not as bad as first thought.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans said on Monday that he expected fullback Beale to have surgery to clean out floating cartilage from his left shoulder joint.

Some reports said that Beale had already had surgery but a Wallabies spokesman now says that Beale no longer requires surgery and could join the Wallabies squad next week to continue his injury rehabilitation.

The Rebels play the Brumbies this week at home in Melbourne so as Beale appears to be eligible to play the Wallabies after their match against Scotland on Tuesday he is only likely to miss one Super Rugby match.

The Wallabies play Scotland next week on Tuesday and then have a three match Test series against Wales.

The Rebels first match after the June Internationals is against the Reds in Melbourne on June the 29th.