FLY-HALF Jamie Shillcock could make his comeback from knee surgery in Worcester Warriors’ European Challenge Cup tie against Oyonnax on Saturday (3pm).

The 20-year-old stand-off has missed Warriors’ last seven games in all competitions after going under the knife in mid-October.

But head coach Carl Hogg is hopeful Shillcock will be fit for their double-header with Oyonnax as Warriors host the French side this weekend before locking horns with them again a week on Friday at the Charles Mathon.

“Jamie is not far away from making a return,” Hogg said.

“We will assess him this week to see whether he will be available for this weekend or next weekend.

“He has been out for a significant period of time so it is about getting back into the rhythm of the game and getting his timing again.

“But I am sure he will pick it up very shortly.”

Shillcock has made six appearances for Warriors this season, with his last coming in their 30-20 win over Brive in the opening game of the European Challenge Cup.

“He had a little bit of floating bone in his knee joint which needed to be removed,” Hogg continued.

“We thought we could manage it conservatively but it needed tidying up.

“Obviously we were driven by medical opinion.

“We had a surgeon tell us what the best course was and that the quickest return would be go in and remove that floating bone.”

Sam Olver, who missed last Friday’s 18-14 defeat to Sale Sharks through illness, is also likely to be in contention for the number 10 jersey with Jono Lance set to be rested.

Lance has started in Warriors’ past three Aviva Premiership games and Hogg said he had been impressed with the Australian’s contribution.

“Jono has been managing the game particularly well,” Hogg added.

“When I think back to the games against Harlequins, Northampton and Leicester he managed the middle third of the game very well.”