IN-FORM Worcester Warriors back row Matt Cox will get another chance to impress in the European Challenge Cup.

The 28-year-old was Worcester’s player of the month for December after starring in their European double-header against Newport Gwent Dragons.

The Redditch-born number eight gave another outstanding showing in Warriors’ 17-14 defeat at French outfit Brive last weekend.

And Cox, who has made just three Aviva Premiership appearances this term from the bench, will get a shot against Russian minnows Enisei-STM at Sixways on Saturday (2pm).

“Matt has got a huge work ethic and passion for the game and is a player who wanted to come back to Warriors and build up the club,” said head coach Carl Hogg.

“I am hugely proud of what Matt did last weekend and he will get the opportunity to do similar this weekend.”

Fellow back rower Marco Mama continued his comeback after injury, scoring a try in a strong 72-minute performance in France.

Mama’s longest outing since he played the full 80 minutes against Gloucester in September further pushed his claims after missing three months of the season with a torn hamstring.

“Sometimes when you’re out for a number of weeks through injury you get time to develop,” said Hogg. “I think Marco stacked on four kilos over the last couple of months and looked powerful last weekend.

“It was a hamstring injury but he was able to work on his upper body during his spell out and he put in a very strong performance.”

Warriors will be gunning for revenge against Enisei who are third in Pool Three and one place above Hogg’s side heading into the final group match.

“We know we can be more accurate than we were at Brive but if we have the same underlying energy and desire we will be in a very strong position,” said the Worcester boss.

“Enisei are big up-front with big, square, angular athletes who we will need to move around the field so it’s important we keep the tempo of the game high.”