HEAD coach Carl Hogg is urging injury-hit Worcester Warriors to “batten down the hatches” and deliver an 80-minute performance.

Warriors are braced for their biggest game of the Premiership campaign so far today against eighth-placed Sale Sharks at Sixways (3pm).

But England squad centre Ben Te'o and skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze are still out following head injuries picked up earlier this month despite boss Hogg hoping they would be fit.

However, prop Nick Schonert, fly-half Ryan Lamb, wing Cooper Vuna (all injury) and flanker Alafoti Fa’osiliva (suspension) all return to the starting XV.

Warriors still seek their maiden win but have shown glimpses of promise in their opening three matches.

Hogg said: “We started strongly against Gloucester and are looking to build on that against Sale.

“We know Sale are a very competitive side but we are looking to put the different elements of our game together over an 80-minute window.”

Worcester’s tireless work at the breakdown and lively backs play were evident in the first half at in-form Bath last Saturday when they opened up a 17-3 lead.

But Warriors’ deficiencies were highlighted in the second period when Bath turned on the power to score three quick tries to transform the contest into a comfortable 37-22 win.

Worcester also showed signs of promise in their last home outing against Gloucester, their first match on the new artificial pitch, when they led 20-9 despite being down to 14 men.

However, Gloucester made their one-man advantage count after Fa’osiliva was red carded and fought back to claim a 23-23 draw.

Worcester were inspired by South African scrum-half Francois Hougaard in the home clash with Sale last season as they deservedly won 31-23.

But Hougaard is on Springboks duty in the Rugby Championship and does not return until October 10.

Sharks’ only Premiership win at Sixways since 2009 was in February 2014 and they crashed to a 26-13 home defeat to Gloucester last week.

Back row Marco Mama and wing Dean Hammond (both hamstring) have added to Warriors’ lengthy injury list.

Hogg admitted: “It’s more than statistically normal but that’s part and parcel of professional sport.

“Sometimes you end up having pretty much an injury-free time and then you go through a period where you might get insignificant things that last for a little longer.

“It’s a period of time that we have to weather the storm. We have to batten down the hatches and get through it.

“It gives opportunities for young guys like Perry Humphreys, who scored two fantastic tries over the last couple of weeks. It gives chances for hungry and energetic players.”

Phil Dowson leads Warriors today in his 250th Premiership appearance.

Academy wing Josh Adams is again on the bench and there is a call-up for centre Max Stelling following his performances for Worcester Cavaliers.

AJ MacGinty returns for Sale at fly-half and half-back partner Peter Stringer makes his first start of the season.

Kieran Longbottom comes in at tighthead prop, Will Addison moves to centre and Nev Edwards starts on the wing.

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “We had a team meeting on Monday and discussed the Gloucester game.

“We know what we have to do to up our performances and hopefully this will start at Sixways.

“Make no mistake, though, Worcester now have a 4G pitch and are also scoring points as they showed in the games against Gloucester and Bath.

“Training has gone well this week and we are looking forward to the game.”

Warriors: Shillcock; Humphreys, Olivier, Willison, Vuna; Lamb, Arr; Rapava Ruskin, Annett, Schonert, O’Callaghan, Barry, Faosiliva, Kirwan, Dowson. Replacements: Bregvadze, Leleimalefaga, Johnston, Scotland-Williamson, Cavubati, Baldwin, Stelling.

Sale: McGuigan; Edwards, Addison, Leota, Odogwu; MacGinty, Stringer; Lewis-Roberts, Briggs, Longbottom, Evans, Mills, Neild, Seymour, Beaumont. Replacements: Harrison, Aulika, Ostrikov, Pearce, Lund, Phillips, Mugford, Scott.