The Werner Swanepoel column

THE boys travel to Manchester on Saturday for what, I believe, will be a tougher test than most think.

The Grove Park side are bottom of the league after four matches while we have won all of our games so far.

However, we know enough about them to be fully aware of what we are going up against. We've seen them against Wakefield and Bristol and they've been unlucky in the two games because Manchester played some good stuff.

It is another game where we have to be utterly professional and go into the match with the right attitude. There is no point in looking at the league table and thinking it will be a gimme. We have to start with the right tempo and get them on the back foot early on.

We have to adopt a similar mindset to the one against Harrogate at Sixways. We came through the cup game with a 59-0 result and I think that reflected the professionalism on show. Those types of games, if you are honest, are sometimes difficult to motivate yourselves for because they are against lower ranked opponents who you expect to just push aside.

You can go into a match like that thinking you have nothing to gain. In reality, though, you have everything. Another match is always an opportunity to learn something new, to build momentum and for a team which is in its infancy this season, and a chance to maintain a winning habit.

Even though I couldn't play, because of my various injuries, I was pleased with the effort on show. The pack seems to be getting stronger each week and provided a constant flow of ball for the backs.

When it was popped out into the midfield, I thought James Brown's distribution was excellent. His passing has always been a strong point to his game but against Harrogate I thought he particularly stood out. For people like Gary Trueman who are making the runs, it must be a dream to have such an accurate fly half. He's the leading scorer on five tries this season and don't be surprised to see his name again on the scoresheet at Grove Park.

Gary is making good progress this season and its always nice to see a youngster come through the ranks and make it. He knows his potential, the coaches won't let him forget it! He also knows that with David Officer due back from injury soon and Ben Hinshelwood back next month after World Cup duty, competition for places is going to get very hot indeed in that Worcester midfield.

I was given the good news on Friday that I won't need an operation on my knee. I was all set to have the surgery before a scan showed up that the injury (suffered in the London Welsh game) was ligament damage and bone bruising. Therefore, there was no cartilage damage and I didn't need the operation.

In real terms what that means is that I'll be out for about a month but I'm still able to do a bit of upper body work in the gym. Hopefully next week I can get in the pool and make sure my fitness doesn't suffer. You have to be careful, though, with bone bruising that you don't overdo it because the bruising can turn into something worse if you push it.

I won't be overdoing it but I'll be making sure I'm back as soon as possible. All this watching just doesn't do it for me!