CAPTAIN Donncha O’Callaghan said it would be an “incredible achievement” if Worcester Warriors were “lucky enough” to avoid relegation from the Aviva Premiership.

Despite being 10 points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining, O’Callaghan believes Warriors are in a “dogfight” with bottom club London Irish.

While Worcester were thrashed 58-25 at Sale Sharks to extend their losing streak to three matches, Irish gave Gloucester a real fright at the Madejski Stadium in the last round of games.

Although they let slip a 17-0 lead in a 33-29 reverse, the Exiles collected two bonus points to close the gap.

And having worked under Irish’s new boss Declan Kidney at Ireland O’Callaghan was not expecting Warriors’ rivals to give up any time soon.

“We wanted the season to go better,” said the 39-year-old lock.

“But right now we are in a dogfight down at the bottom and we need to get safe.

“We are a long way off that and have got some big games to do something important for the club and that’s securing Premiership survival.

“I know Declan really well and they’ll fight with every breath. We know this is not done by a long shot yet.”

However, O’Callaghan lavished praise on Warriors’ players for refusing to look for excuses in a “disjointed” and “disappointing” campaign.

Worcester have changed their director of rugby with Alan Solomons replacing Gary Gold and are still in the process of securing new owners.

But O’Callaghan insisted he could not be prouder of his team-mates for sticking to the task as they notably claimed a 6-5 win at leaders Exeter Chiefs last month.

“There has been plenty of stuff going on off the field that can distract and pull you away from what you need to do,” O’Callaghan said.

“But the playing group has never looked for an excuse.

“We know we could be doing better and need to perform but that comes when everything is secure and drips from the top down.

“If we were lucky enough to stay up this year I think that would be an absolutely incredible achievement with everything that has gone on.”

O’Callaghan said the appointment of Solomons in late December had also been “vital” in helping Warriors to get their season on track after a slow start.

“When you are a young guy that’s what you need — a boss and someone in control,” said the ex-Ireland legend.

“(Solomons) steadied the ship but it needs to continue and let Alan shape the team in the way he sees fit.

“Before all that happened there was a massive excuse not to perform or play well but I am so proud of the players that they never did that and played for the supporters who have been incredible this season.

“Every time we have turned out at Sixways they have made it special and you can’t underestimate how much that lifts players to play that bit better.”

O’Callaghan, who joined Warriors from Munster in 2015, added: “For the vision I probably signed up to when I came here under Dean (Ryan), it has been totally different.

“But I have so much respect and love for my team-mates that we didn’t take the easy out.”

Warriors tackle fourth-placed Newcastle Falcons at Sixways on Saturday (3pm).