POWERFUL wing Bryce Heem has “disrupted something around his kneecap” but it is “not a significant injury”.

The New Zealand-born ace missed Worcester Warriors’ Aviva Premiership opener against Saracens on Saturday and their three-warm-up matches in pre-season.

Heem is also set to be ruled out of Friday’s derby against M5 rivals Gloucester in the first Premiership fixture on the new state-of-the-art artificial surface at Sixways (7.45pm).

Heem, who has expressed a desire to play international rugby with Samoa, finished with a seven-try haul after an impressive maiden season at Sixways.

He was on crutches for Warriors’ annual media day last month and at the time head coach Carl Hogg hoped Heem’s problem would clear up within “10 days”.

“Bryce has disrupted something around his kneecap,” explained Hogg.

“It’s a bone-bruising issue around his kneecap and it’s taking a little bit longer to settle but it’s not a significant injury, just taking more time than we had first envisaged.”

Experienced full-back Chris Pennell is also sidelined after picking up a neck injury last season which did not improve over the summer.

Warriors initially hoped Pennell would miss only the first “five or six weeks” of the new campaign and Hogg says the former England player remains on track.

“Chris is on schedule and progressing as we would expect him to,” said Hogg.

“It’s disappointing to lose Chris and, as soon as he gets back, we will welcome his return.”

Full-back Ben Howard (ankle), flanker Carl Kirwan (concussion), centre Ryan Mills, lock Will Spencer (back) and wing Tom Biggs are among those on the treatment table.

“Biggsy is coming back after he picked something up in pre-season but he will be available in the next couple of weeks,” said Hogg.