DREW Hickey will add his considerable frame to Worcester Warriors' attempts to thrash bottom-club Manchester for a second time this season.

The number eight has recovered from a hip injury, sustained at Bedford two weeks ago, to take his place in the National One leaders' pack for Saturday's Sixways clash (3pm).

Warriors steam-rollered the Grove Park club 56-3 in September in one of 17 victories that has carried them to a 12-point lead at the top.

Fitness worries have forced Brain to delay naming his side until tomorrow with backs Gary Trueman (back), Ben Hinshelwood (shoulder) and James Brown (thumb) and hooker Ben Daly (rib), all given extra time to shake off niggling injuries.

"We're optimistic that all will be involved but we just need to see how they are tomorrow," said Brain.

"Ben's been cleared to play following concussion but has a little whiplash."

Club captain Werner Swanepoel is out, still waiting for the all-clear following a meningitis scare, while flanker Christian Evans is definitely sidelined with a bruised knee he sustained in last week's 28-3 win at windswept London Welsh.

Brain admits his side cannot afford to relax and in a bid to ensure their promotion bid is not derailed, has been cracking the whip in a tough week's training.

"We gave the squad a hard week to one or two players' surprise. There were one or two raised eyebrows," said Brain. "But Manchester are 11 points adrift at the bottom and we are 12 points clear and we should win.

"Because of that we have trained quite hard this week but having said that we have got every respect for Manchester. We think they are a positive side who throw the ball around a lot. It should be an entertaining game because they will come to try and score four tries to get a bonus point. They've got nothing to lose.

"They are not negative at the best of times and we expect that is even more the case for them to come with the mindset of all-out attack.

"We'll have to be on our guard but we've worked hard in preparation and I don't think there is any danger of this group of players getting complacent. We might have won 17 games but we've won nothing yet!"