CHRIS Pennell, Ryan Mills and Marco Mama are likely to return when Worcester Warriors visit Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Cup on Saturday (3pm).

The trio were notable absentees at Sixways last Friday when a star-studded Warriors side defeated Sale Sharks 35-3 in the competition’s curtain-raiser.

But director of rugby Alan Solomons allayed fears over the fitness of full-back Pennell (back), centre Mills (ankle) and back rower Mama (hamstring).

“They are niggles and should not be a problem,” Solomons said. “They just weren’t risked.”

Lock Anton Bresler is expected to miss Worcester’s trip to Leicester after failing a head injury assessment in the second half against Sale.

Tighthead prop Farai Mudariki’s evening was also cut short after being forced off with a suspected blow to the neck on 33 minutes.

With Nick Schonert away on international duty Mudariki, who joined Warriors from French club Stado Tarbes in the summer, was handed his first-team debut.

“I think he got a blow to the neck but I have not had any feedback from the medics yet,” said Solomons immediately after the win over Sale.

“He did well. He got around the field, that’s for sure, and you knew he was out there.

“We have got to have more of a careful look at the film but I thought Farai did well for his first hit out and it was really nice to see him play.”

Solomons said he had received “positive” feedback from his players over Warriors’ selection policy this season after welcoming his Premiership stars back into the fold following a 10-day break.

Asked whether he would pick a similar side this weekend to the one that tackled Sharks, Solomons said: “We will sit down and consider what is best for us in terms of our strategy.

“Leicester are a good club and they will have a good side out so it will be a tough game.

“All the Premiership sides have good strength in depth so whichever team they put out will be good.”