IT WILL be up to a month before versatile back Ryan Mills is likely to return to action for Worcester Warriors.

Director of rugby Gary Gold said the 25-year-old was “progressing well” as he recovers from hip and shoulder injuries sustained at an England camp this summer.

But Gold admitted the talented centre who filled in at fly-half in the second half of last season, was unlikely to be back fit this month.

Warriors have confirmed flanker Carl Kirwan (shoulder) and centre Max Stelling (ankle) would also be out for “three to four weeks”.

“Ryan is progressing well, so he is hopefully going to be back in three to four weeks,” Gold said.

Warriors’ injury list also includes back rowers David Denton (calf and Achilles), Marco Mama (knee) and Dewald Potgieter (knee), lock Will Spencer (ankle), centre Wynand Olivier (hamstring), scrum-half Luke Baldwin (bicep), full-back Chris Pennell (quad) and tighthead prop Simon Kerrod (groin).