WORCESTER Rugby Club are on the verge of boosting their promotion bid with the signing of fly-half Steven Vile.

The Sixways club expect to tie up a deal within the next couple of days with the former Bristol half-back jetting into England tomorrow.

The 31-year-old, who found first team opportunities hard to come by at Bristol last season because of his overseas status, is ready to sign a short-term deal with Worcester to add cover to the squad.

I understand Vile will sign up until January when Worcester will then have an option to extend the contract.

The Australian, who was previously with West Hartlepool before his Premiership move, will provide vital back- up to Craig Chalmers and Tony Yapp in the stand-off position.

Chalmers has missed most of the season so far with knee and hamstring injuries and with only Yapp available to deputise in the outside-half slot, coach John Brain has been looking to his academy young guns to provide cover.

Dan Cullen and Jon Higgins have both been on the fringes of first team action this season, but are viewed as players as tomorrow rather than today.

And with the pressure on to win promotion to the Premiership this season, the coach has acted quickly to strengthen the squad in two areas.

Vile not only brings a vast amount of experience to the club with his open play, he is also a proven goal-kicker and will bring extra solidity to the Sixways club.

One of Vile's best performances last season saw the Aussie kick 23 points for Bristol in a 41-41 draw with La Rochelle in the European Shield.

He played 14 games for the West Country side, scoring 158 points including a 22-point haul against Worcester's title rivals Rotherham last year.

However, he also has vital experience of rugby at National One level after his time at West Hartlepool where he enjoyed a good spell as their first choice kicker.