WORCESTER Warriors lock Will Spencer has undergone a “small” operation to rectify an issue with his ankle.

But head coach Carl Hogg is confident the powerful forward will be fit by the time Warriors return to Aviva Premiership action next month.

Worcester travel to Brive in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (2.30pm GMT) before facing Exeter Chiefs and Dragons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

And Hogg said he felt it was the ideal chance to “tidy up” the 25-year-old’s problem before Warriors visit Exeter in the league on Saturday, February 10.

“Will has had a small surgical procedure to remove a little bit of bone which was floating around in his ankle,” Hogg said.

“He was clearly fit enough to play against Bath but it was giving him some issues so this was a window of opportunity to tidy it up.”

Spencer, who has been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers in the summer, has made 10 appearances for Worcester this term.

“It’s not a significant injury,” said Hogg whose side also take on Gloucester and London Irish in the league in February.

“We will look to get him back in the next couple of weeks. He will certainly be fit for the next block of Premiership games.

“You are naïve not to think that people are going to take knocks throughout the nine-month long season so therefore it is about finding the appropriate window to either rest people or get any niggles sorted out.”