WORCESTER Warriors skipper Pat Sanderson has been told by a back specialist that he can return to action straight away -- but will have to play through the pain barrier.

And the England international, who has been out since January with a displaced fracture, could get the chance to prove his fitness in an 'A' game at Sixways on Monday.

Providing he comes through that match, Sanderson is likely to make the trip to Saracens the following Sunday.

Director of rugby John Brain said: "The specialist's opinion was that he could return to rugby immediately, subject to being able to manage the pain that the injury may give him. He's not going to do himself any damage by playing.

"Hopefully, the pain he is in from time to time when doing certain exercises -- and it's not acute pain -- will dissipate over time."

Sanderson's return is timely, given that his replacement at open-side, Tom Harding, hurt his back in training. But the New Zealander's problem is not thought to be serious at this stage.

Worcester's Matt Powell will find out today if he has earned a shock call-up by Wales for their final Six Nations clash with France.

The Abergavenny-born scrum-half has been training with the squad after injured British Lions number nine Dwayne Peel was ruled out.

Mike Phillips will almost certainly start the France game but Powell, along with Bath's Andy Williams, could be on the bench.

Full-back Nicolas Le Roux has been called into France's sevens squad. If Le Roux is chosen for a tournament in April, Worcester will be without him for the European Challenge Cup match with Northampton and the Premiership fixture with London Irish.