WORCESTER Warriors are sweating over the fitness of centre Francois Venter who picked up a calf injury during the defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend.

The incident at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium has led to a scan for the South African and he was one of two players that lead rugby consultant Steve Diamond said were more 'long-term issues'.

The other was fellow centre Ollie Lawrence, who has been out with a calf problem of his own for the last four months, remains sidelined.

Lawrence last featured off the bench in the 32-31 win over Wasps at Sixways but has otherwise been out since November.

Diamond revealed that Fin Smith could return after sitting out last week's defeat at Leicester with a head knock, the same goes for second-row Andrew Kitchener.

Owen Williams is still being given time to regain fitness after his four month lay-off.

He came on a as a substitute in the defeat to Northampton Saints two weeks ago but was not in the squad for th defeat to league leaders Leicester. 

It all means that Worcester are down to just Ashley Beck and Oli Morris as recognisable senior centres in the squad.