CENTRE Ryan Mills is poised to make his long-awaited Worcester Warriors debut in Saturday’s British and Irish Cup match at Midlands rivals Moseley.

The 22-year-old former Gloucester player arrived at Sixways in the summer but has been sidelined after a knee operation.

“Potentially, we will see Mills at the weekend which is fantastic,” said Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.

“Ryan has been out for a long period but his experi - ence will be needed against Moseley.

“It’s an opportunity for Ryan to get back into the playing saddle so we are looking forward to him playing.

He’s got the ability to man - age a game and put a team in the right areas of the pitch through his kicking game.

“I am delighted he’s back fit and playing and we can assess what he’s about in the Worcester Warriors way.”

Hogg said flanker Andries Pretorius (calf) was ‘still in the hands of the medics’, while Jonathan Thomas (calf) should be back ‘in the not too distant future’.

He added that full-back Chris Pennell, who has not played since the opening match at Bristol, is ear - marked for Warriors’ Cham - pionship match against Bedford on November 7.

Warriors have won their opening two Pool Three matches in the British and Irish Cup and Hogg expects to make several changes from last weekend’s 27-23 win against Munster ‘A’.

Hogg said: “We will probably bolster it with one or two more experienced players be - cause we think Moseley will present a challenge.”