CROCKED number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze looks set to miss Worcester Warriors’ clash against Sale Sharks at Sixways on Friday (7.45pm).

But director of rugby Gary Gold believes he has enough players to step into his shoes with Andrew Durutalo in contention to make his Aviva Premiership bow.

Van Velze was forced off with a rib injury in the first half of Warriors’ 31-27 victory over Leicester Tigers at Welford Road last Saturday.

There are fears the South African sustained a fracture but Gold was unable to confirm the extent of the injury and how long he would be out for.

However, the club have said they would manage his rib issue “conservatively” until Thursday when his situation is expected to be reviewed.

Despite the blow, Gold said he was happy with the options he had available to him.

Scotland international David Denton is likely to replace van Velze at number eight while Durutalo is also expected to be in the mix.

“Christian Scotland-Williamson has played well, Durutalo has come back from international duty and a few of our young guys like Huw Taylor and Tom Dodd have played some good rugby,” Gold said.

“We will see who is next in line but we will wait and see what happens with GJ first.”

Durutalo has made two appearances in the Anglo-Welsh Cup since arriving at Sixways from Championship side Ealing in mid-October.

The 30-year-old represented USA in their clashes against Germany and Georgia this month but he has now returned to the club along with his countryman Joe Taufete’e.

And Gold, who will take over as USA’s head coach next summer, said he was looking forward to seeing the powerful back rower back in Warriors colours.

“I had obviously watched a lot of footage of him playing for Ealing and I think he is a really aggressive ball-carrier,” Gold said.

“I like his character as well as he is a great clubman.

“He was obviously going well for Ealing but I knew he wanted an opportunity to play in the Premiership.

“It was a good marriage as were able to offer him that chance and he’s got a international teammate here in Joe.

“Hopefully he is going to have a long and successful career at the club.

“With the guys that we had injured especially at the beginning of the season I thought it was important to have a replacement so I am excited with the possibility of playing him either this weekend or in the next couple of weeks.”