WORCESTER Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock says the next three Guinness Premiership games will help define Rico Gear’s Sixways future.

The All Black sees his current deal come to an end this season and the Worcester chief has told his winger that he must prove his worth for a new contract.

Gear, who has struggled for form and fitness during his two seasons at the club, is one of a string of players whose contracts expire in the summer.

“I have spoken to Rico, I have told him that we have got a number of players to make final decisions on, ideally after this block of three games,” Ruddock said.

“He is playing pretty well, it is a shame that he dropped out of the home Connacht match with that calf injury.

“He had a very good game at London Irish so I think this block of three GP games will define certain decisions in terms of contractual status.”

Ruddock also said there has been no more progress over Gear’s compatriot Sam Tuitupou.

The tough-tackling centre’s family failed to settle in Worcester when he first arrived at the club and have since returned to New Zealand. The ex-Auckland Blue is hoping to persuade his family to return to Worcester so that he can extend his stay at Sixways.

“It is slightly delicate with Sammy without going into the finer details of his family situation,” Ruddock said.

“The deal itself is all agreed, but it is subject to some situations with his family and whether they are going to come over or whether they are going to stay that side.

“It is all been agreed with his agent, it is just trying to work through things with his family as to whether they stay in New Zealand or come over here.”