STAND-off Tony Yapp, flanker Nathan Carter and centre Andy Currier will all play for Worcester's development side at Birmingham/Solihull seconds on Saturday.

They are among the first team regulars included in a young squad which faces a stern test at a club set to join Worcester in Premiership Two (3pm).

Yapp was dropped from the starting line-up last week against London Welsh while Nathan Carter is on the come-back trail following a neck injury.

Both came on as replacements last Saturday and it would be a shock if either were omitted from the 22-man squad for the crucial Allied Dunbar league fixture at Rotherham a week on Saturday.

Centre Andy Currier, who has missed the last two matches through a hamstring injury, will start his first game for a month by partnering Mark Eastwood in midfield.

Worcester have also included back row forward Dave Merlin for this weekend but the 27-year-old former Northampton and Blackheath flanker will play at lock.

"Nathan Carter and Andy Currier have both had significant injuries and need the rugby," said director of rugby Les Cusworth.

"Tony also needs to play again and Birmingham/Solihull is an ideal game to keep players on their toes ahead of the Rotherham match.

"There's a nice step about the squad, they're in good heart and they've now got a couple of days of relaxation before they come back on Monday."

Worcester Development XV: Holder, Smaje, Eastwood, Currier, Allen, Yapp, Simpson-Daniel, Robinson, Hall, Smith, Merlin, Jones, Bassett, Carter, Luke Andrews. Replacements: Knott, Vander-Velt, W Lloyd, Richardson, J Daniell, Beechey, J Thompson.