THE shoulder strain suffered by Worcester lock Tim Collier is likely to keep him out for at least six weeks.

The 21-stone player, who has only recently returned following a hernia problem, is undergoing rehab on the injured shoulder.

Collier has struggled to recapture his form of last year and has not started a Premiership game since the first day of the season.

But his continued absence will come as a blow to the Sixways management, who are currently without other heavyweight forwards Andre Van Niekerk, Chris Horsman and Pat Sanderson.

Head coach Anthony Eddy said: "We do have a lot of injuries to key players but a lot of players have come on and stood up and really done a good job for us."

Following Saturday's 15-11 defeat at the hands of Northampton Saints, Warriors now have a break from the Premiership until their fixture at Bristol on January 28.

Eddy has hinted that some of the regulars may be given a breather for the European Challenge Cup matches against Amatori Catania and Montpellier over the next two weeks.

He said: "There are a couple of blokes who could do with a good rest after some pretty disappointing results in the Premiership.

"The European tournament also gives us a good opportunity to look at some other players and bounce back even better than ever for the rest of the Premiership."

n A Worcester XV went down 17-15 in a friendly at Moseley.

Open-side flanker Tom Harding, who has been making sporadic appearances for the first team since arriving from New Zealand, scored a try as did winger Jonny Hylton.

Jamie Lennard kicked one conversion and a penalty.