ALISTAIR Murdoch will make his long awaited comeback for Worcester Rugby Club in their potentially explosive RFU National Cup clash at Lydney on Saturday (3pm).

Last year's skipper takes his place in the squad bound for the Forest of Dean club after recovering from a rib injury which has kept him out of all Worcester's six league matches so far this season.

The winger replaces fellow Aussie Chris Garrard in the squad after he picked up a back injury this week.

And for head coach John Brain, it is a welcome boost in the wake of Saturday's shock league defeat by Coventry.

"It's good to have Alistair back," he said. "He adds power and pace to our side and is a very good finisher.

"Not only can he play on the wing, he was also very successful last season at outside centre so it gives us more options. He's very hungry for a game and he will relish the test at Lydney."

Lock Dan Zaltzman misses the third round trip because of a quad problem while centre Scott Barrow is still not included and instead plays for the academy side tomorrow.

Craig Chalmers is ruled out with his hamstring injury while scrum half Elton Moncrieff will be on the sidelines for at least two more weeks after a reoccurrence of his calf problem.

Experienced prop Neil Lyman has again been left out of the 22-man squad.

In their first game since the 31-22 home defeat by Coventry, Brain is likely to start with his strongest line-up possible but hopes to look at some different combinations during the match.

However, he is warning the game at Regentsholme will not be one for the faint hearted against a side in fifth place in National Three South.

"I will be surprised if it doesn't boil over to be honest," he added. "There will be a volatile atmosphere and their players will be up for the game, there's no doubt about it.

"I think, though, it will be a useful test for us bearing in mind we have two league games at Wakefield and Otley coming up.

"Worcester are probably the most hated side in the league and I don't think we've quite adjusted to that yet. We will have to on Saturday though."

Worcester squad: Carter, Clarke, Collins, Evans, Hall, Hinshelwood, Jenner, Jones, Moreno, Morgan, Murdoch, Pellow, Roke, Ross, Sims, Smith, Soper, Stanley, Tuipulotu, Windo, Yapp, Yates.