TOUGH-tackling flanker Sam Lewis appears to be winning his battle to be fit for Worcester Warriors’ crunch Aviva Premiership clash with bottom club London Irish on Sunday (1pm).

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was also “positive” over the fitness of scrum-half Francois Hougaard (ankle) and Will Spencer (illness) ahead of Worcester’s trip to the Madejski Stadium.

Lewis was forced off in the first half of Warriors’ 25-15 win over Gloucester last Saturday following a blow to his head.

Immediately after the game, Solomons said the Welshman was “in the hands of the medics”, casting doubts over whether he would be able to tackle Irish.

But with eight days between the two matches, Solomons is optimistic over his chances of lining up against the Reading outfit.

“Sam is coming along well,” Solomons said.

“He has got to go through the protocol but I am positive about him. We have got an eight-day turnaround which is good as it is done on a day-by-day basis.”

Hougaard was ruled out of the Gloucester game after picking up an ankle ankle in Warriors’ 6-5 win at Exeter Chiefs while Spencer missed both games due to illness.

“It is looking positive as things stand,” said Solomons on the duo’s hopes of playing against struggling Irish.

Josh Adams is set to feature after being dropped from Wales’ squad but Warriors will be without David Denton.

The 27-year-old back rower has been named on the bench for Scotland’s battle with England at Murrayfield on Saturday (4.45pm).

But his absence is set to open the door for either Alafoti Fa’osiliva or Matt Cox who both impressed off the bench against Gloucester.

“We pretty much expected (Denton to be called up),” Solomons added.

“Foti and Coxy were involved last week so that speaks for itself. It is not like we will make a lot of changes.”