WORCESTER Rugby Club will make a decision on trialist Jon Hylton over the next week.

The former Wasps wing has been involved in Worcester's warm-up games, notably scoring a hat-trick of tries against Stourbridge.

With wing Nnamdi Ezulike still recovering from knee surgery and centre Ben Hinshelwood likely to be named in Scotland's World Cup squad, Worcester's director of rugby John Brain will sit down with Hylton sooner rather than later.

"Jon initially came to Worcester on a six-week trial period," said Brain. "He's only four weeks into that so I envisage sitting down and talking through things in the next week or so.

"Obviously we have a number of factors. Nnamdi is progressing well but is still a little while away while we have to prepare for the likelihood of Ben Hinshelwood's absence until November."

Meanwhile, Brain is expecting flanker Dean Thomas to be fit for next Saturday's clash with Orrell. The former Swansea man suffered a slight tear to his hamstring which ruled him out of today's trip to Otley.

However, his absence from the squad was a precaution and Thomas looks set to rejoin full training next week.

"We are expecting Dean to be in contention for the Orrell match," added Brain. "It's only a very small tear and it was just precautionary that he wasn't available for selection for Otley.

"We are in the fortunate position, though, that the back row is a highly competitive area. The players who hold the shirts at present - Richard Bates, Gavin Pfister and Christian Evans - are in pole position."

New signing Drew Hickey has a shoulder injury but is expected to join in some light training next week. The Australian, however, is facing a race against time to make the match against his former club Orrell.

"Drew is very keen to play, obviously," said Brain. "However, we must make sure he is right before he plays."