WORCESTER Rugby Club have made an enquiry for Gloucester's out of favour winger Daren O'Leary.

The National One pacesetters are hoping to bring in the 29-year-old to bolster their injury-hit squad with continued uncertainty surrounding loan star Chris Catling.

Catling has re-registered as a Gloucester player following the end of his Sixways loan spell but Worcester are still hopeful that a deal can be struck to keep the former England 'A' man until the end of the decision.

In the meantime, the Warriors have sounded out O'Leary about a move away from the Premiership.

O'Leary, a former England 'A' and sevens star, has dropped down the Kingsholm pecking order this season and would jump at the chance of top class first-team rugby.

However, both potential deals involving O'Leary and Catling are at a crucial stage and could go either way in the next 48 hours. The players have to be registered with Worcester by Thursday to make them eligible for Saturday's Powergen Shield clash with Exeter.

Worcester have already lost one winger to illness with Craig Hudson returning to New Zealand earlier this month. And after injuries along the back-line to Ben Hinshelwood, Gary Trueman and James Ogilvie-Bull, director of rugby John Brain is understandably keen to strengthen the squad.

Brain is already exploring the option of keeping on-loan hooker James Parkes at the club until the end of the season. The Saracens man has had little chance to impress since his Sixways move earlier this month but could feature more against Exeter.

Worcester have reacted quickly to the news that South African hooker Chris Pearson's season could be over after it was revealed that the initial operation to cure a broken bone in his wrist had failed.

Worcester have asked for a second opinion but, if the diagnosis is confirmed, the former Orrell forward will have to undergo surgery again to fix the problem.

"Chris has been very unlucky," said Brain. "The surgeon attempted to put a screw into the bone in the initial operation but unfortunately that doesn't look to have been a success.

"Chris is still in quite a bit of pain and he's obviously very frustrated."