VERSATILE back Andy Short has been challenged to be “physical” and “direct” in Worcester Warriors’ Anglo-Welsh Cup derby at Wasps tomorrow (3pm).

The former Bristol player will partner in-form Max Stelling in Warriors’ midfield for the showdown at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Short, who is normally a winger, has three full matches under his belt this term – and crossed the whitewash in Warriors’ 25-24 defeat to Brive in the European Challenge Cup.

“It’s a good opportunity for Shorty to show us what he’s got at 13,” said defence coach Simon Cross, who is overseeing Warriors’ Anglo-Welsh Cup programme.

“He has played a lot there in the past.

“I think we will probably look at him as a winger more than a centre but he has got strings to his bow and this is an opportunity for him to show what he can do at centre.”

Worcester-born Short, 25, missed a big part of last season after hurting his ankle in the early stages of Warriors' 43-35 defeat against the Barbarians in their opening warm-up match.

Short needed an operation on his injured ankle and played just twice last term in the European Challenge Cup.

Cross believes Short has a good chance to stake his claim for a spot in Warriors’ Aviva Premiership squad.

“We have people away and if Shorty steps up at 13 he certainly gives Carl Hogg (head coach) a few headaches for the following week,” said Cross.

“Shorty is a very fast and physical guy and I want to see him looking after the ball more in contact and I want to see him beat player and be really physical and direct.

"He’s up against a very good player in Alapati Leiua. It will be a good contest but I really want to see him put his physicality on this game.”

Warriors opened their Anglo-Welsh Cup account with a 31-25 victory against struggling Bristol, while Wasps slipped to a 17-13 defeat against Sale Sharks.

Cross said Wasps had picked for a strong squad for tomorrow’s match and admitted he was surprised to see big-name players on their bench.

“Seeing the likes of Ashley Johnson and Dan Robson on the bench was a bit of a surprise and understandable," said Cross.

"Thomas Young, in the back row, is a good player alongside Alex Rieder and Tom Cruse is at hooker so they have got a decent spine to their team.

"Alapati Leiua, at 13, is a dangerous runner and they’ve got a young guy at 10 (Connor Eastgate)."

Cross added: “It will be interesting to see where they go and how they play but Wasps have a lot of good guys in there.”