SKIPPER Jonathan Thomas says it's 'do-or-die' time for Warriors as they close in on the business end of the Aviva Premiership season.

Dean Ryan will recall his big guns for tomorrow's LV= Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs at Sixways (3pm) to build momentum for next Friday's return to league action against Leicester Tigers.

Warriors have five home games left in the Premiership this season and making Sixways a fortress once again will be key to any survival bid, according to former Wales international Thomas.

“It is do-or-die for us now," the Worcester captain said. "We have five home games left and we pretty much have to win them all.

"If we do that, we still have a chance but if we don’t, then that’s it. It’s as simple as that and it is like we are playing knockout cup rugby now from here on in.

“Leicester at home next Friday is the big game for us and just the mental boost from beating a team like them would be huge for us.

“We then have teams like Gloucester, Exeter and Sale at home and I’d like to think we have a chance with all of those."

Thomas, 31, added: “We’re in a good place and that all starts with this weekend’s cup game against Exeter.

"It’s been a really tough season in terms of results, but we will keep fighting to the end and, if we can do that, we have a chance of staying up.

“I’d like to think we’re in a good place as a squad – we certainly should be as we’ve been given everything we need in terms of Nick Johnston coming in and doing a good job with our fitness and conditioning.

“He was also behind the idea of us going to Portugal and the management have done everything they can for us to provide a platform for us to go into the remainder of the season."