WORCESTER Warriors prop Conor Carey says he is ready to fill Nick Schonert’s shoes and bring his attacking prowess to the side.

Warriors will be without Schonert, who made 21 starts last season, for up to three month after sustaining knee ligament damage.

The news of Schonert’s injury was then compounded when Farai Mudariki suffered an ankle issue, leaving boss Alan Solomons to consider signing another tighthead. But Carey, who made the move from Connacht this summer, believes Solomons’ answer to his prop problems can be found within his current Warriors squad.

“All five of the tightheads have been working really well together so it is disappointing to lose Nick,” Carey said.

“But it just means the other four have to step up and fill his boots because we know how good he is having been in multiple England camps and been unlucky not to have been capped yet.

“The rest of us just need to show what we can do to help the team.

“I had always planned to come over here to play so of course this is an opportunity but I think we are all going to get a chance.

“It’s such an attritional league, so everybody needs to be ready to stand up at some point.”

With Schonert sidelined Carey is the most experienced tighthead available to Solomons.

And the 28-year-old will wear the number three jersey today when Warriors visit Wasps in the Premiership Cup (3pm).

“I might get a few starts over the next few weeks and put my stamp on the position as well,” Carey said.

“I am always going to be excited about starting as that’s what you want. Every player does. It’s part and parcel of the game.

“You don’t come here to train.”

Weighing 19st 8lbs, Carey is also the heaviest prop at the club.

But the ex-Ireland U20s front rower insists his skills do not all lie in the pack as he looks to make his mark in the loose.

Carey demonstrated his ability in attack with a fine offload in the build-up to a try in Warriors’ victory over Leicester Tigers on the opening day.

“As a prop I am going to pride myself on the set-piece but I like to play,” Carey said.

“It’s a very skills-based game in Ireland so every player has to be able to play rugby. I am always going to want to throw passes and I back myself when I have a chance to carry as well.

“I have also played in Doaky’s (Neil Doak, attack coach) system before and I know he wants all the players to be able to play.”

Carey worked under Doak at Ulster where he also played alongside Warriors team-mates and old school pals Niall Annett and Michael Heaney.

“I went to school with Niall and Michael and Neil was one of my first coaches when I came into the men’s game,” Carey said.

“I have also played against a lot of these boys as well so it wasn’t a hard transition and it has been such an easy group to come into as they are all so welcoming.”

Carey played 60 games in three seasons at Connacht but having plied his trade in England for Championship sides Ealing Trailfinders and Nottingham he was keen to challenge himself in the Gallagher Premiership.

“I want to play against the best players and test myself at the top level,” Carey added.

“You have to move if you want to take that next step.

“I had three good years at Connacht so I thought maybe it’s time to try something new.”