INJURIES to locks Steve Lloyd and Chris Raymond have dealt Worcester a double blow as they prepare for Friday's Allied Dunbar Premiership Two clash with Coventry.

The second row pair started last weekend's 20-19 victory at London Welsh but Lloyd suffered a neck injury while Raymond damaged ribs.

That could mean England lock Dave Sims could make his first competitive start for the league leaders since signing from Gloucester in the summer.

Sims has struggled with a tendon strain in his foot since the friendly against Wasps in August but has been named in Friday's squad.

He is expected to partner Richard Denhardt in the second row after the latter returned to the team last Saturday following a one-month suspension.

"I'm not worried about the situation because we've got two quality players coming in to the team," said director of rugby Les Cusworth.

"It's a healthy situation to be in when you've got an England lock and a player of Richard Denhardt's quality as cover.

"And I'm not concerned about Dave Sims' fitness because he's been in full training."

But another of Worcester's summer signings, Rohan Hoffman, has been sidelined for the second time in as many matches.

The full-back injured a leg in the club's opening pre-season friendly against Connacht and aggravated the problem attempting to make his come-back playing for Worcester's development side on Saturday.

The 27-year-old's problem involves internal bleeding in an area where he has previously suffered a hairline fracture.

"Rohan's taken another knock and is having medical treatment for the injury," added Cusworth. "He's certainly had some bad luck since he joined us."

Coventry's line-up has been unaffected by the proposed merger with Bedford following a deal announced by owner Keith Fairbrother earlier this week.

They have two former Worcester players in their squad in prop James Broady and lock Mark Gilbert.

Broady has played three times for his new club but is currently out for a month after suffering a rib cartilage injury against Rotherham three weeks ago.

Gilbert, who appeared on the replacement's bench for Worcester last season, has yet to make his Coventry debut but has been named as a replacement in Friday's team.

Worcester are due to name their team after their final training session tonight but have included Shaun Woof, signed from Waterloo last week, in a 23-man squad.

Coventry: Gough, Johnson, Hyslop, Curtis, Minshull, Amor, Dawson, Morgan, Addleton, Revan, Fountaine, Watkins, Horrobin, Dawling, Tarbuck (capt).

Replacements: Gilbert, Hadfield, Osman, Cane, Smallwood, McMurray, Crofts.