CHRIS Garrard has been added to Worcester Rugby Club's lengthening injury list.

The winger has been told to rest until mid January to cure a niggling groin problem which has dogged the Australian since last season.

Garrard had surgery in the summer to cure the problem but, after matches this season, he has seen the injury flare up again.

Doctors have advised the player and club that the best course of action was rest and Garrard has now been ruled out until the Orrell clash on January 17.

The injury gives director of rugby John Brain a fresh headache after seeing last season's top scorer Duncan Roke suffer another knee injury last weekend in his comeback match against Penzance and Newlyn.

Brain revealed that after Garrad played through the pain barrier last season that they wanted to give him the chance of restoring himself to full fitness.

"Chris could play today against Pertemps Bees," said Brain.

Rest

"However we've adopted the view that he needs to rest to cure this problem.

"That is the medical advice and to be fair to Chris, he played on last season with the groin injury so we want to make sure he comes back fit.

"We've had to take him out of the playing mix for a length of time now and make sure he is in rehabilitation.

"We thought we owed it to him to get him 100 per cent after he played through the pain last season.

"Hopefully, when he comes back in January, we will have seen the back of the problem because it's been very frustrating for him."

Jon Hylton was brought in earlier this season because of Nnamdi Ezulike's on-going knee problems and the former Wasps winger has got the nod to make his first league start today.

"We have faith in Jon," said Brain. "He has got his chance against Birmingham and I'm sure he'll be looking to make the most of the opportunity."

Roke will be re-assessed this weekend as to the extent of his knee injury and a decision on further treatment will be made on Monday.