WORCESTER Rugby Club have been boosted by the news that former Scottish international Craig Chalmers has not torn his hamstring as first feared.

The fly-half was carried off at the end of the first-half against Rotherham on Saturday sparking fears of a lengthy absence for the record-breaking Scot.

However, head coach John Brain has been told the injury is a strain rather than a tear and Chalmers could be back in action for Worcester's clash with Coventry on October 6.

"The injury is not as bad as we first thought," said Brain. "We feel it's a strain rather than a tear because he's walking about OK. We will probably know more later this week when the injury settles down.

"I would say though, that he is almost definitely out of Saturday's match at London Welsh. The good thing is that, on Saturday, Tony Yapp has come on for us and done a good job."

Chalmers had only just returned on Saturday after a bruised sternum and is just the latest in a series of injury headaches for Brain.

Elton Moncrieff's troublesome calf injury will keep him out for another two to three weeks, while Brain will find out later today whether skipper Kingsley Jones fractured a thumb in the 20-18 win over Rotherham.

Brain was waiting on scan results of Jones and also to see if Chris Yates is still bothered by a neck problem. The centre has been struggling to move his head after a bruising tackle at the weekend and is now a doubt for the trip to Old Deer Park.

"Kingsley has damaged both thumbs," added Brain. "We won't know the extent until we get the results but we are concerned that one may be fractured. Chris Yates was also struggling yesterday with his neck."

Brain has welcomed better news on the injury front, however, with Alistair Murdoch due to take part in a full training session today.

The Australian has been troubled by a rib problem since before the start of the season, but if he comes through some contact sessions today, he could be included in Saturday's squad. Scott Barrow also hopes to train this week after recovering from a toe injury.

"We haven't been able to get away from injuries so far this season," added Brain. "However, we knew Rotherham was always going to be a physically tough game. They built up a reputation last season in the Premiership for their toughness.

"You have to accept knocks from those sort of games but with Craig, he just felt his hamstring tightening as the game went on. Hopefully, if it is just a strain, he can be back in a week or two.

"It will be good to have Alistair Murdoch back though because he is a big part of our plans for this season."