WINSTON Stanley and Elton Moncrief are the shock absentees from Worcester Rugby Club's squad to face Moseley tomorrow.

The Canadian winger and Kiwi scrum-half are both omitted with head coach John Brain deciding to give Stanley a rest while Ricky Pellow seems to have moved ahead in the half-back pecking order.

Brain has also lost fly-half Steven Vile because of illness and an ankle injury but Tony Yapp comes in for the must-win National One clash at Sixways (3pm).

"Winston will have a rest for this match, he is not injured but it gives us the chance to look at different combinations," said Brain. "Elton just hasn't made it for this particular game but there's no problem."

Stanley's rest gives former skipper Alistair Murdoch the chance to press his claims for a first-team spot although Chris Garrrard is eager for a recall after missing the 22-10 defeat at Exeter.

The Australian made way for Sateki Tuipulotu on that day. Gary Trueman is included in the squad after an impressive display for the Warriors in their pre-Christmas demolition of Leicester Tigers.

Also sidelined are Christian Evans, Dan Zaltzman and Neil Lyman.

Evans has been struck down with 'flu while Zaltzman is still suffering from a foot injury, giving Dave Sims the opportunity to win back his place after spending much of the season on the bench. Prop Lyman is suspended.

Worcester are now two points behind leaders Rotherham having played a game more, and they face a Moseley side who have won their last three away matches.

"It's an important game for us," added Brain. "We go into it after losing at Exeter and we have to get our promotion bid back on track.

"Moseley have some good players and their two wingers can certainly cause us problems. Geoff Gregory scored a hat-trick against London Welsh recently so he is one to watch.

"We beat them earlier in the season but it wasn't an easy match and they, no doubt, will be up for what is a Midlands derby."

Squad: Davis, Ross, Moreno, Morgan, Sims, Jones, Carter, Clarke; Smith, Chalmers, Murdoch, Yates, Roke, Garrard, Tuipulotu; Windo, Hall, Soper, Jenner, Pellow, Yapp, Hinshelwood, Trueman.