JOHN Brain will be forced to play an all-new centre pairing on Saturday after Scott Barrow was ruled out of Worcester Rugby Club's league opener with Manchester.

The 21-year-old picked up a foot injury during the Gold'n'Blues' 47-3 weekend defeat at Sale and, despite treatment, will not be fit in time for the National One kick off.

Barrow and Alistair Murdoch - last year's partnership - will both miss the Sixways clash with the Australian still on the treatment table with a rib injury.

Barrow's absence gives head coach Brain a selection dilemma after a constant flow of injuries including another centre, Duncan Roke, who has a heel problem.

Brain will finalise his squad tomorrow but is sweating on the fitness of a number of key players.

Newly-appointed skipper Kingsley Jones is nursing a sore shoulder and is a doubt while Argentine prop Alejandro Moreno has a calf injury.

The latest headaches for Brain come in the wake of ongoing uncertainty concerning his two first-choice fly halves.

Craig Chalmers and Tony Yapp were both facing a race against time to be fit but now look to be winning their battles after knee injuries.

"They both trained yesterday," said Brain. "It is looking more likely that they will be in the 22 and be able to play some part in the match.

"We are monitoring a number of players closely but at the moment the only player who is definitely out is Scott Barrow.

"The injuries are obviously not ideal but we have a big squad and it just shows why you need strength in depth."