WORCESTER lock Craig Gillies has escaped a lengthy ban despite admitting two charges of stamping on Bristol's Joe El Abd and can play in the final match at home to Saracens.

The 6ft 8ins player was given a two-week suspension by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel, which rules him out of Sunday's trip to London Irish but means he is free to play again from April 27.

The fixture against Saracens falls the day after, so Gillies can make a game which could yet determine whether Warriors remain in the Guinness Premeirship next season.

Worcester's director of rugby John Brain said: "We thought the matter was dealt with very fairly and the verdict is a fair and balanced one.

"When you take all the factors into account, such as the nature of the offence, the context of the game and what Craig actually did, we believe it's a fair hearing.

"He could have missed both games but now he will be available for selection for the Saracens game."

RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett said: "The sending-off was a mid-range entry point offence which carries a recommended sanction of five weeks.

"However, we gave Craig credit for his good character and the circumstances of the incident and consequently imposed a maximum reduction of three weeks.

"We gave him a one-week ban for the citing (for stamping) but because this incident and the red card were 15 seconds apart and in effect the same phase of play, the panel decided the suspensions should run concurrently rather than consecutively."

It remains unclear whether scrum-half Matt Powell will return against Irish after missing the Bristol game with ankle ligament damage.

"Matt Powell is touch and go but he is improving every day," added Brain.

"He is optimistic about his chances of playing but, as we did before the Bristol game, we will leave it to the very last minute before we make a decision on him. If he is fit, he will start."

Chris Horsman appears to have recovered from an ankle injury.