SCRUM-half Francois Hougaard and tighthead prop Nick Schonert are “touch and go” to play in Worcester Warriors’ bottom of the table battle with London Irish at Sixways on Friday (7.45pm).

Hougaard has been struggling with an “on-going” groin problem while Schonert is still trying to shake off a back issue.

The star duo sustained the blows in the 18-14 defeat to Sale Sharks earlier this month and played no part in Worcester’s back-to-back European Challenge Cup games against Oyonnax over the last two weeks.

But director of rugby Gary Gold admitted he would wait until Thursday to make a decision whether to field Hougaard and Schonert against the Exiles.

“It was his groin (that he injured) but it’s on-going and he’s one of those guys we will have to assess,” Gold said.

“We hope he can come through.

“Nick is doing OK, but is also touch and go and we will have to wait and see what happens with him on Thursday after the rehab stuff he did today.”

Flanker Sam Lewis suffered a broken nose against Sale while number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze picked up a rib injury in Worcester’s 31-27 win at Leicester Tigers.

But Gold confirmed the pair were “fine” and training well as Warriors build up to their crunch clash with basement side London Irish.

“We are more or less looking in good shape,” Gold said.

“Most of the guys are training at the moment, so we have got a reasonable complement of players.

“There are one or two players still carrying niggles and some injuries.

“But we will reassess the situation on Thursday.

“Some guys didn’t train today as we don’t want to risk them if they are going to be available for Friday.

“But conversely if that’s going to be the case you stand the risk of them not having enough game time if we do play them.

“We will have a sit down and conversation over the next couple of days and we will decide before we put the team out.”