WINGER Sam Smith will be involved in Worcester Warriors’ Greene King IPA Championship clash at Bedford Blues on Saturday (3pm).

The 24-year-old has been out of action since suffering a thigh strain setting up a try in the first-half of Warriors’ 50-10 triumph at Moseley on January 17.

Smith has played 12 times for Warriors this term and scored 10 tries, including seven touchdowns in his last three full appearances.

But Dean Hammond and Ben Howard have both impressed on the wing during Smith’s month-long injury absence.

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “Sam will be involved at the weekend in some capacity.

“Since he had a thigh strain, Sam has been able to train and understands his place has got some heat on it and he needs to come in and play well.”

Ryan said he expects to make ‘a couple of changes’ to last weekend’s team which recorded a 49-10 home win against Rotherham Titans. But he is happy with how the ‘core squad’ is shaping up.

England full-back Chris Pennell is expected to feature but in-form Leonardo Senatore appeared to injure a leg in a midfield collision against Titans.

“Senatore probably won’t play this weekend but it’s nothing too serious,” said Ryan.

“It’s just a significant bang on the bone but no structural damage.”

Warriors recorded a 42-12 win against Bedford in November’s fixture at Sixways and Ryan predicts a hard game at Goldington Road.

“It’s a tough ground to go to,” he said.

“It’s tight, closed in and has a little hill into the bottom corner.

“Tactically you have to be aware of how to play it.

“It’s another challenge for us to go into tough places. Since Leeds, where we got it wrong, I think we have been on top of that issue.”

With fly-half Tiff Eden and winger Josh Watkins already loaned to Nottingham and Plymouth Albion, respectively, Ryan says more players could follow before Wednesday’s deadline.

“I want a couple of guys to get some games before the British and Irish Cup match but then they will have to come back,” said Ryan.

“We may look to get Ben Sowrey a game at Rotherham, while other people may get five or six games because they have been robbed of game-time.

“Heath Stevens is somebody who hasn’t had a real opportunity since he ripped his hamstring. A couple of players will decide over the next few days what is right for them.”