FRUSTRATED head coach Carl Hogg hopes to have scrum-half Jonny Arr and fly-half Tom Heathcote back for Worcester Warriors within the next two weeks.

The duo are recovering from concussion and Hogg admitted struggling Warriors had “missed them both”.

Arr has not featured since suffering a bang on his head in Worcester’s 26-12 Aviva Premiership defeat against Wasps in early December.

Heathcote has faced an even longer spell on the sidelines after being forced off in an Anglo-Welsh Cup clash at Wasps last month.

As he had been knocked out against Brive in October, he had to see a specialist.

But Hogg said the process of getting them back to full fitness was taking longer than expected.

“They are going through head assessments which is part and parcel of our game going forward,” he said.

“Both Jonny and Tommy have been out for a number of weeks and I think that’s going to be more common in the landscape of rugby.

“It is frustrating because when somebody has a head knock you expect them to be out for a week or two.

“But it is going to be more common where it is going to take four, five or six weeks because the welfare of the players is paramount.”

Their absence has provided opportunities for Michael Dowsett and Connor Braid, who both joined in November, to stake their claim for the nine and 10 shirt respectively.

However, Hogg could not hide his disappointment at the way the half-back pairing managed the game at Bristol on Boxing Day as Warriors lost 28-20 against 14 men.

“I am hoping it’s a couple of weeks now for both Jonny and Tommy,” he said.

“Nine and 10 are pivotal positions and we have missed them both but have got to concentrate on those playing now.

“It was a tough journey for Mike and Connor on Monday but they will be better for it.”

Braid came off the bench on 14 minutes at Ashton Gate after Jamie Shillcock was left concussed by a dangerous tackle from Tusi Pisi who was red carded.

But Hogg confirmed it was “a relatively minor” case of concussion and Shillcock could be ready to face Harlequins at Sixways on New Year’s Day (3pm).

“He has gone through the concussion protocol and we will hopefully get him back for Sunday,” Hogg added.