Mike Ruddock has revealed the Pocket Rocket – Sam Tuitupou – could be set for a return as Worcester Warriors face London Wasps at Sixways Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Dynamic midfielder Tuitupou has been ruled out of action in recent weeks with a back injury.
However, Ruddock revealed the former New Zealand international has now returned to training and could force his way back in the squad for the penultimate game on home soil this campaign.
Scrum half Ryan Powell is also closing on a playing return while prop Matt Mullan is set for his shoulder operation this week.
“We should have Ryan Powell back for selection against Wasps and also hopefully Sammy Tuitupou,” said Ruddock.
“Sammy has trained with us and done well, whether or not he starts I don’t know, but it would be good if we could get him back in the mix.
“He is an ex-All Black and a quality player that plays above his weight in many ways, in terms of the power he generates. He is a good passer of the ball and superb tackler, he generates such power in the collisions.
“But if he is not 100 percent fit, given the injury he has had, we won’t risk him. We still have two more games to come. I have to sit down and take all the information in before we make a decision.”
Tuitupou will hope to line up against a Wasps team that is yet to record a win in the Guinness Premiership at Sixways but have shone in recent weeks.
“I have been very impressed with them, hard grounds have suited them and they have players back from international duty,” added Ruddock.
“They are going to take a lot of handling and they are a very dangerous team. We have got to front up and try and disrupt them, we have to win the collisions and run hard.
“We need some intelligent rugby to counter a Wasps team that comes here on fire in many ways.
“We have got to try and play the perfect game, that is what we are striving for and that is what we will try and do.
“We don’t like being where we are, we don’t like being under achievers. But we are confident that there is a lot right in our game. Structurally we have been good, we are not a million miles away and we have got to push on.”
Tickets to watch Warriors face London Wasps remain on sale from the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or by clicking the online Tickets section at www.warriors.co.uk