The big prop required minor back surgery during the close season, but has been back lifting weights and doing fitness work for three weeks and is aiming for a New Year return to action.
Ed told the Evening Times: "Things are progressing well and I have been doing weights and general fitness stuff with running for a couple of weeks now. But you can't rush back injuries and the care I have has been fantastic.
"It has been frustrating to sit on the sidelines while the boys have gone about compiling a new record of wins in the PRO12.
"But maybe even more so when you are helpless to make a difference when things don't go so well as was the case at Munster at the weekend.
"But the main thing for me is that I am absolutely on target for a mid- January return and the key at this stage is not to over-do anything."