HOOKER Joe Taufete’e will bring a “power element” to Worcester Warriors’ game, insists head coach Carl Hogg.

Taufete’e, 24, made his Warriors debut in their last-gasp 17-14 defeat at Pool Three leaders Brive in the European Challenge Cup last weekend.

The USA international, who can also play at prop, is a “dynamic ball carrier” and should relish the physical contest against Russian visitors Enisei-STM tomorrow (2pm).

“Joe adds something different and is a very dynamic ball carrier,” said Hogg.

“We are looking to introduce that power element of the game and I think he’s got the attributes to deliver it.

“He’s a fast-moving, powerful athlete who can cause issues with the ball in hand and I am looking forward to him playing at the weekend.”

Taufete’e, who joined Warriors last month, played 57 minutes at the Stade Amedee-Domenech before Jack Singleton replaced him.

The forward played American football until 2011 and has made nine international appearances for the USA, scoring three tries.

Versatile back Perry Humphreys returned in France, making his first appearance since hurting his knee in the Aviva Premiership defeat at former club Leicester Tigers in October.

Humphreys, 22, started the season in spectacular fashion, scoring successive tries against Gloucester, Bath and Sale Sharks before being struck down by injury at Welford Road.

“Perry did well (at Brive),” reflected Hogg.

“He had been out for a number of weeks after starting the season on fire.

“He was playing very well and unfortunately got injured. But he got back in the saddle last weekend and we are just looking to build on that.

“It normally takes one or two weeks for a player to get their match fitness back but Perry looked pretty sharp (at Brive).”

Teenage fly-half Jamie Shillcock damaged his “little finger” in the run-up to the Brive clash but returns.

Shillcock was withdrawn from the squad last weekend and replaced by the more experienced Ryan Mills in the first XV.

“Jamie hurt his little finger and was struggling to pass the ball later in the week,” explained Hogg.

“As a precaution we withdrew Jamie and Ryan stepped in and played a very controlled and commanding role at 10.”

Hogg wants his troops to round off their European campaign on a high note.

“We’ve trained very well again this week,” he said.

“One of the things we have been looking at is training at a higher intensity and we’ve done that over the last month.

"We are looking to ramp up the intensity so we can build momentum going forward.

“There has been a huge galvanising effect. Clearly it (the season) hasn’t gone to plan.

"There are a number of mitigating factors but those are behind us and it’s about what we do now and how we move forward from here.”