FIVE influential players look set to return after injury for Worcester Warriors’ crucial Aviva Premiership home clash against Sale Sharks on Saturday (3pm).

England squad centre Ben Te’o and captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze have overcome concussion, while prop Nick Schonert has recovered from an elbow problem.

Fly-half Ryan Lamb should be available after a neck injury kept him out of last Saturday’s 37-22 defeat at Bath and head coach Carl Hogg is hoping wing Cooper Vuna shrugs off a calf problem.

Flanker Alafoti Fa'osiliva is back after a one-match suspension but back row Marco Mama and wing Dean Hammond have been ruled out.

Mama suffered a partial hamstring tear in the first half at the Recreation Ground and is likely to be missing for over a month.

Hammond faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring while scoring a try against Bath.

“I think Marco will be out longer than Deano (Hammond),” insisted Hogg.

“Deano will be shorter-term so hopefully a couple of weeks out but I think Marco will be a bit more significant because we are looking at a grade two hamstring pull.

“Marco has been in fantastic form, especially against Gloucester under the lights on the new surface.

“He looked really sharp with the ball in hand and did a huge amount of work defensively so he will be a miss for us but it gives an opportunity to someone else."

Warriors have drawn one and lost two of their opening three matches and will be desperate to pick up their first victory of the campaign against Sharks.

“Hopefully, we will get our captain (van Velze), Te’o and Schonert back," said Hogg.

“Fa'osiliva also comes back into the group and gives us something different.

“He’s got real power and a ball-carrying presence and we will welcome him back.

"We are hoping to get Cooper (Vuna) back this weekend from his quad injury but we lost Dean (Hammond) so it creates opportunities for the likes of Perry Humphreys and Josh Adams to start again.”

Warriors’ lengthy injury list also includes wing Bryce Heem (knee), full-backs Chris Pennell (neck) and Ben Howard (ankle operation), lock Will Spencer (back) and centre Ryan Mills (groin).

Sale suffered a 26-13 home defeat against Gloucester last Friday and Hogg knows the importance of cranking up the pressure on Steve Diamond's men.

“We have always said how important home games are in the Premiership because it’s tough to win away so we have got make Sixways a fortress," said Hogg.

“I watched Sale’s game against Gloucester last weekend and I am sure they are disappointed.

"I am sure Sale will come out firing especially in the first 20 minutes.

“We are under no illusions about how tough the task will be but it’s about us and we are putting the focus on how we perform this weekend.”