INFLUENTIAL Worcester Warriors scrum-half Francois Hougaard will be out of action until January after injuring his shoulder while on international duty with South Africa.

Hougaard needs surgery for a biceps tenodesis and rotator cuff repair.

According to Warriors, Hougaard faces 10 to 12 weeks on the sidelines which means he might not be available for Premiership duty until their home match against Saracens in round 14.

Hougaard arrived back at Sixways with the problem and looks set to miss Warriors’ crucial Premiership clash against relegation rivals Bristol at Ashton Gate on Boxing Day.

It is a major blow for head coach Carl Hogg, whose squad has been ravaged by injuries to key players.

Skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze (concussion), wings Bryce Heem (knee), Tom Biggs (ankle) and Cooper Vuna (knee) and lock Will Spencer (back) are also sidelined.

Warriors’ medical department assessed Hougaard on his return to Worcester after his spell in the Rugby Championship with the Springboks.

Hougaard visited specialist consultants following the diagnosis and was given an MRI scan to allow the club to fully understand the extent of the injury. Warriors’ high performance director Nick Johnston said: “We are extremely disappointed that Francois returned to the club with an undiagnosed injury.

“As a club player, welfare is our priority and we will be using our every resource to ensure Francois has access to the right surgeon and he receives the highest level of support during his rehabilitation.”