CORNELL du Preez confirmed he would not be able to speak for the “next four weeks or so” as he continues to receive treatment on his injured throat.

The 27-year-old back rower posted on Instagram today to update people on his progress after damaging his voice box and Adam’s apple in Warriors’ 21-20 defeat to Wasps earlier this month.

And he stated the messages he had received from well-wishers over the past two weeks had been “overwhelming”.

The message read: “On September 1 I fractured my cricoid (Adam’s Apple).

"I also damaged my voice box so I won’t be able to speak at all for the next four weeks or so.

“I will be in hospital until then.

“I really want to thank Worcester Warriors, friends and family from all over the world for the unbelievable support that have been received.

“It has been overwhelming.

“I will get back to replying to messages over the next few days. Thanks.”

Director of rugby Alan Solomons also released a statement about du Preez who joined Warriors from Edinburgh in the summer.

“Cornell is making good progress and is receiving the best treatment in hospital,” Solomons said. “Everyone at the club sends him their best wishes and we will continue to support him at this difficult time.

“We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Following Sunday’s 21-15 loss at Sale Sharks Solomons said du Preez had undergone surgery last Friday.

Speaking at Warriors’ press conference on Wednesday, Solomons then admitted he was waiting to discover whether du Preez needed to undergo a “further operation”.

“He is still in Birmingham and the club is giving him really good support,” Solomons told the media.

“Cornell’s partner is here and we are waiting to hear from the surgeon as to whether a further operation is required.

“We are just sitting tight until we get that information.”

Solomons said he was also in “constant contact” with Warriors’ doctor as he awaited more news on du Preez’s situation.

The Scotland international is being treated at the Heartsland Hospital and Birmingham Chest Clinic.

“I have not seen (Cornell) as he is not seeing anybody apart from his partner at the moment,” Solomons said.

“But I think it is pretty tough when you have got pipes down your throat.

“When you think back to when the injury happened that was a little while ago, wasn’t it?

“I am hoping that the next report we get is positive and he starts turning a corner.”

Sam Lewis, Marco Mama and Gerrit-Jan van Velze started in the back row for Worcester against Sale.

Alafoti Fa’osiliva made an impact off the bench while fellow loose forwards Matt Cox, Carl Kirwan and Ted Hill played in Worcester Cavaliers’ 32-26 win at Leicester Tigers on Monday.

Asked whether he had started to plan without du Preez this season, Solomons said: “No. It would be premature to make any decision about anything.

“We are fortunate that we do have a lot of loose forwards so we can cope at the moment. Let’s just see.

“All I want is Cornell to get better.”

Solomons was boosted by the return of Kirwan who missed the entire 2017-18 Premiership campaign due to a shoulder injury before pulling his hamstring in pre-season.

But Warriors’ chief stressed the 27-year-old needed to rack up more minutes for the Cavaliers in the Premiership Rugby Shield.

“Carl is over the moon that he got those 40 minutes on Monday,” Solomons said.

“It was fantastic as he has been out for so long and had such an unfortunate run of luck.

“Carl has got to get game-time.

“Unfortunately there is nothing for this weekend but in a way he can let his body recover and then we have got two Cavaliers games.”