WARRIORS back-row forward Marco Mama is set to miss up to six weeks of action after suffering a torn muscle in his foot.

The 28-year-old limped off the Welford Road turf towards the end of the 14-8 Gallagher Premiership defeat and becomes another player to add to the injury list.

The Zimbabwean has struggled with injuries in the last 12 months including almost losing his right leg when suffering compartment syndrome — a severe dead leg — in the game against Gloucester in April 2019.

He required four operations in a 10-day period to save it and suffered a recurrence of the injury against Exeter Chiefs in November but returned to action against Saracens in January and has been involved in the squad ever since.

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “Marco has played superbly but Sam Lewis did really well when he came on and we still have GJ (Van Velze), Tom Dodd and Caleb (Montgomery) so we have the players to deal with it.”

The good news from the press conference today was wing Tom Howe’s return to training and while he will be available for selection this weekend Solomons admits he will need introducing to game time slowly.

The Warriors boss said: “He will be back in training this week and available for selection but he hasn’t played for six weeks and Nick (David) is going incredibly well.”

Solomons also said he was “optimistic” about Ted Hill and Graham Kitchener recovering from their injuries to feature on Friday night against Northampton Saints at Sixways (7.45pm).

Hill played in the second row on Saturday whilst carrying a knock to his hip and Kitchener had to be removed for a bang to the head.

Lock Anton Bresler was replaced in the 20th minute in that game and Solomons ruled him out of this week's game saying he “wasn’t looking too flash at the moment”.

Elsewhere, centre Ashley Beck is not going to be fit in time as he continues to struggle with a shoulder problem and Solomons also added updates on wings Dean Hammond and Ed Fidow and prop Callum Black.

“Ash is not 100 per cent,” Solomons explained.

“He isn’t right. If he doesn’t play this weekend he gets next week off as well as there is no game so that would be good for him.

"There is no point pressing him for a game where he is not right and Millsy (Ryan Mills) is a terrific player and doing well.

“Dean is going well but still not taking part in practice but by the end of March he and Ed (Fidow) will be back.

“Callum Black — probably in the next block of games because he is now running and the boot is off.

“There are only two games in the next block, I am certainly positive about Wasps away and hopefully he will be fit for Gloucester but we will have to see.”

Warriors tackle Saints this week looking to earn their first league win in 2020.