Hougaard missed Tigers’ Guinness Premiership game at Wasps on Sunday after having an operation two weeks ago.
But the fly-half, who joined Tigers in the summer from the Blue Bulls, is back training with his teammates and hopes to be available for selection "sooner rather than later".
Hougaard said: “In training I had some stomach cramps and I thought it was normal stomach cramps and nothing else to it. During the night I couldn’t sleep and I said to the doctor to give me something.
“He was a little bit worried and he wanted me to go and see a surgeon – luckily he did. I saw the surgeon and he was worried about the one side, did some tests and that night I was operated on.
“What can I say? It was not an enjoyable experience.
“It was very unfortunate, especially now with a really important part of the season coming up for us. Not being able to play is a big disappointment. Hopefully I can be back sooner rather than later.
“The surgeon said to take it easy last week and get the body healed. He said I could start training this week and see how it goes.”
Tickets are available for Saturday’s game against Worcester Warriors, which kicks off at 3pm, from the Welford Road ticket office on 08701 28 34 30.
