WORCESTER Rugby Club's management duo of John Brain and Andy Keast have admitted they are wary of 'destroyer' Chris Yates.
The 16-stone centre was released by Worcester in the summer but returns to Sixways with Plymouth Albion on Saturday in the National One clash of the day (3pm).
Yates endured a disappointing spell at Sixways and, after Keast's arrival in January 2002 as coach, the former Gloucester man found himself a regular bench warmer.
But as the Warriors get back to league action following a week off, Keast is well aware that Yates will have something to prove.
"Chris Yates can be a destroyer," said Keast. "He is a dangerous player who, on his day, will cause teams problems. We don't take someone like him lightly."
Director of rugby Brain, however, believes that fit-again inside centre Gary Trueman may give Yates the run-around in the midfield battle.
"I would like to think that playing against Gary Trueman will be a test for Chris Yates. It will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.
"Chris wasn't happy about leaving but we were up front about it all and straight with him.
"He's that type of individual, though, that will want to prove a point. Chris is also a player who is quite capable of turning in an outstanding one-off performance. The other side of that, though, is that Gary knows Chris very well and knows what to expect."
Trueman's return, after an ankle injury, is one of many as Brain and Keast welcome a deluge of players back into the fold.
Tim Walsh and Christian Evans have both recovered from hamstring injuries while Nnamdi Ezulike returns after a slight knee problem.
Mark Gabey plays his first game since breaking his arm in January at blindside flanker. Dan Zaltzman returns at lock after a shoulder problem.
James Ogilvie-Bull is on the bench following his collarbone injury, as is Craig Quinnell who has recovered from an inflamed knee.
"There are some key players back for us and that is great news for the club," added Keast. "All of a sudden, it looks a very strong team and squad."
Worcester: Roke; Ezulike, Officer, Trueman, Garrard, Walsh, Swanepoel; Windo, Hall, Lyman, Zaltzman, Gillies, Gabey, Pfister, Evans. Replacements: O'Reilly, Brown, Ogilvie-Bull, Pearl, Olver, Jenner, Quinnell.
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