INFLUENTIAL tighthead prop Nick Schonert is “coming on nicely” after a bang on the head in Worcester Warriors’ clash at Northampton Saints.

The Durban-born forward left the field and was replaced by Biyi Alo after just four minutes at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.

Schonert is the cornerstone of Warriors’ scrum and director of rugby Gary Gold will be desperate to see the 25-year-old line up in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership relegation battle against Bristol at Sixways (3pm).

“Nick is doing his return to play protocol because he was assessed (last weekend) as having a bit of a knock,” said Gold.

“Touch wood, he’s coming on nicely. He’s got no symptoms and we will wait and see what happens.

“Luckily, we’ve got the game on Sunday so there’s an extra day in our favour.”

Loosehead prop Val Rapava Ruskin, who has missed Warriors last three matches with a back injury, is understood to have resumed training.

Samoan back row Chris Vui, who improved Warriors’ line-out against Saracens and Exeter Chiefs, is also back after being ruled out of the trip to Saints through injury.

“Chris has been in training this week and I am hoping he will be available for selection,” said Gold.

“He will make a difference in the line-out. He’s a lovely rugby player and I would really like the ability to call on him this weekend.”

Experienced back row Phil Dowson is also available for selection after the RFU dismissed the citing commissioner’s case brought against him.

Warriors are expecting a sell-out crowd for Bristol's visit which is a crucial match for both teams in their survival fight.

Gold will want a vast improvement from Warriors after labelling their performance as “poor” in their 24-14 defeat at Northampton.

“I wasn’t happy with the team’s performance last Saturday and I thought the whole performance was poor,” said Gold.

“In defence of the players, we lost Chris (Vui) after he had been in the team for a couple of weeks and built some nice momentum.

“We had to make quite a lot of adjustments at the line-out and then to lose Nick (Schonert) after a short space of time was very disruptive, especially when you think he might be coming back on to the field.

“While the performance wasn’t very good there were extenuating circumstances.”

Gold was, however, impressed with Bristol’s 12-11 win against play-off chasing Bath last Sunday and their “abrasive” back row.

“We will to have to understand that Bristol are going to bring quite an abrasive and very good back row,” said Gold.

“Jack Lam was outstanding last weekend and we all know how good Jordan Crane is and the pedigree he’s got.

“It’s going to be a heck of a tussle but it’s not just about a few back-rows playing.

"All 15 of our guys will have to be unified if we are to get a positive result.”