THE return of Ryan Mills has given boss Alan Solomons a centre conundrum to crack ahead of Worcester Warriors’ battle with Bath on Saturday (3pm).

For the first time this season fit-again vice-captain Mills, England star Ben Te’o and South Africa international Francois Venter are fighting it out for a place in Warriors’ midfield.

Mills had played every minute of Worcester’s Gallagher Premiership campaign before being forced off with a wrist problem in the 32-6 thrashing by Northampton Saints two weeks ago.

His injury coincided with the return of Te’o following his three-week break and the New Zealand-born back took Mills’ place in the number 12 jersey last Saturday.

Te’o got on the scoresheet in a powerful performance alongside Venter as Warriors led 14-0 and 17-8 before Saracens came back in the second half to win 25-17 at Allianz Park.

It was the duo’s first outing together and Solomons was delighted with what they brought to Worcester’s game.

“I thought Ben and Francois went well in the middle,” Solomons said.

“It was Ben’s first game with the team apart from that 30-minute cameo against Ospreys and I thought he did really well.

“He has looked sharp in training so it is good to have him back.”

He added: “Because he is a big strong man he is capable of giving you front-foot ball and a bit of go-forward.

“Ben like everybody else in our team plays a key role and I am very pleased with him.”

Te’o has now scored seven tries in 26 appearances for Warriors but the 31-year-old has never been paired with Mills in the centres in his two-and-a-half seasons at the club.

The duo have been named on the same team-sheet six times but Mills was picked at fly-half on each of those occasions including Warriors’ loss at Gloucester last term.

When Te’o has been unavailability either through injury or international duty Venter and Mills have been Solomons’ first-choice pairing.

Venter has been a regular at outside centre since his arrival from Cheetahs last summer, making 13 showings.

But Solomons has welcomed the increase in competition and insisted academy ace Ollie Lawrence was also in his plans as he looks to select Warriors’ midfield to face Bath.

“It is very good to have difficult selections,” Solomons said.

“One always takes into consideration the opposition when you select a side.

“But you need to look at yourself. You are dealing with quality players. All our centres are including Ollie out who is a really quality player.

“Francois and Ben have both played international rugby. Ben has obviously got the most Test match experience.”

Solomons is also set to welcome back tighthead prop Nick Schonert (sternum) and back rower Marco Mama (knee) from injury.

But there are doubts over the fitness of wing Josh Adams (hamstring) and lock Michael Fatialofa (illness).

“You want to have selection headaches,” Solomons added.

“We want to sit and spend time pondering over selection, so it is great to have the guys back.”