KAI Horstmann will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a rib injury, but Worcester Warriors captain Chris Pennell is poised to make his first start of the season against Birmingham & Solihull on Saturday (2pm).

Back-rower Horstmann, who has deputised as skipper since Pennell suffered a broken ankle in the pre-season clash with Newport, picked up his injury in the 39-25 Championship victory over London Welsh.

Sixways head coach Richard Hill will give his fringe players a run-out at Damson Park for Worcester’s final match of the regular season in a bid to avoid any needless injuries ahead of the play-offs.

He said: “We will keep some players back against Birmingham — we can’t afford to get the injuries.

“Kai has damaged a rib cartilage and could be out for two or three weeks.

“If we over-play them now, we could pick up two or three more silly injuries. Kai will be back for the play-offs as we have a few weeks yet.

“Our top 15 players will now have a break and we will put a lot of the lads that played from the bench out to start against Birmingham.

“We will work hard with them to make sure they perform as they should do. The likes of Ollie Frost and Joe Carlisle have got to get used to running the show properly and keeping the game tight, marshalling the team.

“The game should give Chris the chance to come back. He should play and start against Birmingham, might have a bit of game time against the Army in mid-week after and then come in to lead the team against Cornish Pirates in the British & Irish Cup. That is the plan.

“I don’t think he wants to come in as captain for the first game at Birmingham. He’ll just settle in, but we have discussed it and hopefully he will be able to take over the captaincy reins when we face Pirates.”