CENTRE Francois Venter will be assessed by medics after injuring his ankle in Worcester Warriors’ 20-13 victory over Sale Sharks at the weekend.

The South Africa international, starting in his second successive Gallagher Premiership match after overcoming a calf issue, was forced off at half-time and replaced by Ryan Mills.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said Venter “rolled his ankle” and would miss Warriors' European Challenge Cup home clash with Dragons on Saturday (3pm).

But Solomons was unsure on the extent of the damage.

Asked whether Venter’s injury was a concern, Solomons said: “I don’t know as I have not spoken to the medics.

“We will speak to them, but he certainly won’t be involved next week (at home to Dragons).

“We do have good strength in depth in the squad and that’s fantastic.

“We have still got Ollie Lawrence, Millsy and Ashley Beck. Alex Hearle is still a way off, but Will Butler is starting to get there.”

Tighthead prop Nick Schonert made his first outing of the Premiership campaign after returning from a knee injury and lasted 51 minutes at Sixways before making way for Richard Palframan.

“Nick has been out for about six or seven weeks with that grade two medial knee ligament injury,” Solomons said.

“He had 25 to 30 minutes against Castres last week so Saturday's game was big ask for him.

“He has now had a further 50 minutes and I thought that was enough for him. He needed to come off.”

Warriors have got off to their best start to a top-flight season since 2005-06 as they sit in fourth with three wins in five matches.

Asked whether Warriors’ league form had exceeded expectations, Solomons added: “I don’t look at it like that.

“I just focus on each game, prepare and plan ahead.

“We know the Premiership is absolutely key for us and we simply take it a game at a time.”