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WORCESTER Warriors have received mixed fortunes this week with the news key performers Rico Gear and Darren Morris are set to feature in the 22-man squad to take on local rivals Gloucester at Sixways on Saturday (3pm), but the club's injury jinx has struck again.

New Zealand flyer Gear has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and then a virus, but is now fit for consideration, while Welsh front rower Morris has recovered from concussion.

But, it has been revealed that scrum-half Ryan Powell is set to go under the knife today for knee surgery and prop Chris Horsman is unlikely to play again this season.

Despite the return to action of Gear and Morris, Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock looks set to stick with the XV that started the 10-10 draw with Leeds.

The Welshman said: "There is every chance it will be the same starting XV - a couple of guys are coming back into the equation who we need to think about.

"Rico, for example, would be one who is fit again now and will definitely make the 22. Whether or not he starts is something we have to think about, but he's definitely in contention.

"With his hamstring injury and then the virus he had, he has been without top flight conditioning for nearly a month. Even though he is a quality player, we have to decide whether to put him straight in or on the bench.

"Also, Marcel Garvey has been playing really well, so when you look at all of those things, we are tempted to keep the same starting XV."

With Welsh number nine Powell facing several weeks of recuperation, England Under 20 scrum-half Jonny Arr will be drafted into the 22 to face Gloucester as Nick Runciman is also crocked.

Ruddock added: "Ryan is going to have knee surgery today and will hopefully be back in three weeks. It is not a major operation - just a tear in the cartilage.

"Nick has pulled his hamstring this week, so straight away we are two scrum-halves down. Jonny will come onto the bench."

Although Horsman is a doubt for the remainder of the season, his surgeon was happy with how the operation to remove a bone spur on the Welsh international's ankle went.

Ruddock said: "The consultant is very pleased with how Chris's operation went, but the reality is that he will be looking at a six-week time span for recovery, so whether he will play again this season, I'm not sure.

"What was good news was that the surgeon was very please with the operation and that there were no complications.

"You feel for Chris though - he was so keen to get back in with us and play after the disappointment of the Welsh World Cup effort, but he got injured in his first game back for us.

"Then he almost got back to full fitness and had this ankle twinge which needed surgery.

"He has tried so hard and said to me before he went under the knife again that he'd never been so fit."

Meanwhile, luckless Fijian back row forward Netani Talei has been side-lined yet again, but centre Dom Feau'nati is close to full match fitness.

Ruddock continued: "Netani tripped over during training and has bruised a bone behind his knee - it's not a serious problem, but will take a few weeks to sort out.

"However, Dom will make his comeback for the A' team on Monday night against Leeds."

8:30am Thursday 27th March 2008

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