DAVID Officer and Mark Gabey look set to hand Worcester Rugby Club a double boost this week.

The Sixways stars, who have been out of action with long-term injuries, could both be back in training at the end of the week as they count down to their National One tester at Orrell on February 16.

Officer is running free from pain following last week's steroid injection in his ankle, while Gabey will have his arm out of plaster this week after breaking it last month.

Gabey's levels of fitness are still high after an intensive programme while Officer has been working out in the swimming pool since suffering his Achilles and ankle injury back in November.

"It's a possibility that both of them could be back for Orrell," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

"David is running and we will see just how much he can get involved in training this week. Mark comes out of plaster this week so we can have a look at the arm and if all goes well he could be in contention for Orrell.

"It is nice to have some good news with injuries because we haven't had much luck so far this season."

One player who looks unlikely to play a part in Worcester's National One trip to Bedford on Saturday is Tim Walsh. The Australian suffered a slight hamstring tear in the weekend win over Manchester and is rated "extremely doubtful" by Brain for the Goldington Road clash.

Loan signing James Parkes could yet play some part in the match after coming through last night's 33-14 United defeat to Northampton at Sixways. The Saracens player, who joined Worcester last week on a month's loan, is in contention because of Chris Hall's sternum injury.

Worcester actually led 14-7 at half-time following tries from Matt Payne and Hugo Southwell while James Brown added a couple of conversions.

But Northampton upped the tempo after the interval and ran out convincing winners.