HOOKER Niall Annett admits he is a “little uncertain” over his Worcester Warriors future with his contract due to expire this summer.

The Ulsterman is midway through his fifth season at Warriors but feels he has got a “point to prove” to director of rugby Alan Solomons as he bids to extend his stay.

After missing the entire 2017-18 campaign due to injury Annett is back fighting for a place in the team and for a new deal.

Annett made his 64th appearance in blue and gold when he came off the bench in Warriors’ 35-23 Premiership Cup victory over Wasps at Sixways on Sunday.

And the 27-year-old, who scored a crucial try in Worcester’s Championship play-off win over Bristol four years ago, remains driven to succeed at the club.

“This is my fifth season here which was as long as I was a professional at Ulster,” Annett said.

“I am very passionate about the club.

“It holds a very special place for me as they gave me an opportunity back when Dean Ryan was director of rugby.

“There is a core group of guys that are still here and there are a lot of very good people who have been added to it.

“I turn up to work every day looking forward to seeing the boys and working hard in training.”

Jack Singleton, 22, is Warriors’ first-choice hooker but has been linked with a move to reigning Premiership champions Saracens.

USA international Joe Taufete’e, 26, has one more year left on his contract while Isaac Miller, 24, and Beck Cutting, 20, are also competing for the number two shirt.

“There is competition here but that’s always been the case as Gus Creevy was here when I first rocked up and there have been other great players,” Annett said.

“We have got five quality hookers and that can only be good for Worcester.”

Asked whether he had held contract talks with Solomons, Annett said: “That is just something that I am little uncertain about at the moment and there is probably not a huge amount more to say on it.

“There are discussions to be had and we just need to figure out what’s going to happen.

“There are a lot of people who have been here a lot longer than I have so I am not trying to sound like a club long-termer.

“But I am passionate about the club and those discussions will just need to happen and we will deal with them when they do.”

Annett suffered anterior cruciate knee ligament damage in a training session last season.

The former Ireland under 20s captain admitted he was “rusty” at the start of this term but after 12 games under his belt felt he was now in “a much better place” as he looks to impress Solomons.

“I have always felt like I have had a point to prove, particularly since I moved to Worcester,” Annett said.

“That will probably stay with me until I retire so I suppose that’s just engrained in me. That’s who I am.”

Annett, who was joined by his former Ulster team-mate and long-time friend Michael Heaney last summer, said he was also enjoying life away from the club.

“Worcester has always been very good to me and it reminds me a lot of Belfast,” Annett added.

“My fiancé and I are very settled and we enjoy living just outside of Worcester and being close to all the great cities that are around it.”