Mike Ruddock is set to give his injured stars as long as possible to make the Guinness Premiership clash with London Wasps on Saturday – as he looks to call on experience for the big game at Sixways Stadium (kick-off 3pm).
Director of Rugby Ruddock has revealed he is hopeful of recalling Chris Latham and will wait for fitness tests on others before naming his starting line-up.
“We have a few players that will come down to the wire and I will have to make some calls on Friday on people,” he said,
“Chris Latham with his toe, Dale Rasmussen has had a stinger injury and Hal Luscombe has had a calf injury.
“Those sorts of players we are looking to include in the 22, subject to them passing a fitness test. It will go down to the wire and we hope they will make it. Other players like Matt Mullan and Greg Rawlinson, who didn’t start last week, will also come back.
“In situations like this we need to draw on as much experience as we can and if Dale and Hal pass fitness tests then there is every chance that Willie Walker will play at ten and Chris Latham at 15.
“That is the sort of experience we are looking to add to Rico Gear and Marcel Garvey, the physicality they offer to against a big blitz defence of Wasps will also be advantageous.
“The youngsters have done well and Joe has done very well. If a player drops out and he comes in he will be fine. But in the ideal world we want as much experience on the field as possible.”
Meanwhile, Ruddock has revealed that Matthew Jones will definitely miss the game after undergoing surgery to remove the pin in his foot.
He said: “Matt’s injury has been a difficult one. With a stress fracture you either leave the bone to heal on its own but the medical advice was to pin his foot to get him through the season.
“Unfortunately the pin has created some aggravation and after trying to work through that pain we have now taken the decision to take the pin out of the foot.
“The bone has healed but it will take a few more weeks for the wound to heal. It is a frustrating injury for us all.
“Better news surrounds Chris Horsman has improved and he is hoping to drop back into some skills sessions next week.
“But Loki Crichton went off with a hip flexor injury against Leicester and he will not be fit for the weekend.”
Watch Warriors tackle the Wasps at Sixways Stadium this Saturday! Call 01905 454183 or visit the online Box Office at www.warriors.co.uk