EXPERIENCED back row Phil Dowson has been hailed as a “true professional” by Worcester Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.

Dowson is a “gentleman” and will make “an outstanding coach” when he links up with Northampton Saints in the summer.

The 35-year-old is in line to make his 260th Premiership appearance in Warriors’ crucial Aviva Premiership clash at Northampton tomorrow (3pm).

He is edging closer to Steve Borthwick’s all-time Premiership appearance record of 265.

Earlier in the week, Dowson alluded to off-the-field problems at Sixways which had affected the side’s performances on the pitch this term.

In a press conference, Dowson admitted “a lot of things flying around behind the scenes” had hampered Warriors’ campaign.

But Dowson said Gold's arrival had given Warriors “clarity” and “direction” as they attempt to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Gold said: “He is a gentleman and one of the true professionals of the game.

“He’s put in a great shift at Newcastle, Northampton and now at Worcester.

“I am particularly fond of him and I love his professional attitude.

“No training day is too much hard work for him.”

Gold added: “I think he will make an outstanding coach. He’s got a good knowledge of the game and I am really happy he’s been acknowledged for his qualities.

“A club he used to play at for a number of years has headhunt him and it speaks volumes for Phil as a person.

"I am excited for him and I think he is somebody the boys will react to really well.”

It’s a surprise recall for Dowson who has been drafted into Worcester's starting line-up for his first Premiership game since early January owing to an injury to Chris Vui.

Dowson had been working hard in training and preparing the team for the challenge of Saints.

“As soon as you have a chance to put your hand up, that’s when you have to go for it,” said Dowson.

“Coxy (Matt Cox) has been brilliant in Europe and I have been training with him.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete who just wants to play.

“We have been sitting there frustrated and that frustration has to be borne into effort in training and then channelled in the right way.

“Darren Barry is also mad keen to go and play.

“There are guys who, for whatever reason, are not getting picked at the moment.

“The whole point of training is to try to make your point but, at the same time, always back the team up. The team always comes first.

“In fairness to Carl Hogg, he brought in intensive training after the Gloucester game but it has gone up a notch since Gary's been here.”

Hooker Niall Annett will make his first appearance since hurting his ankle against Northampton in November.

Gold said: “In a specialist position like hooker or nine you cringe as a coach when you lose one of your good players as Jack (Singleton) is.

“Whenever anybody of quality (like Annett) comes back from injury, it makes a big difference to the squad.”