WORCESTER Warriors will take the chance to rest Thomas Lombard during their European fortnight.

The Frenchman has been struggling with a shoulder injury and looked in pain during Worcester's 16-6 victory over London Irish on Saturday.

However, with Worcester now having a two-week break from Premiership action as they drop into the European Shield, the centre will get some much-needed rest.

The Sixways side tackled Italian club Leonessa last night in the home quarter-final first leg and Worcester will not risk the back next weekend in the second leg.

"Thomas Lombard's shoulder is still a problem," said Worcester's director of rugby John Brain.

"It's not a serious problem but we need to get it right. We need to make sure Thomas gets the right amount of rest."

Hooker Andre Van Niekerk has also been struggling with a hip problem, while Craig Gillies has been nursing an ankle knock as the injuries are beginning to mount for Worcester.

Add to that the on-going concerns over Dale Rasmussen and Ben Hinshelwood and the three-week break from Premiership action is a godsend for Brain.

Hinshelwood, the Scottish international centre, has been plagued by back spasms this season and he's been told that rest is the only cure. However, Worcester are beginning to wonder when they can play him.

"At present, Ben cannot train properly," added Brain. "Obviously that has a knock-on effect on his performances.

"All we keep being told is that Ben needs to rest but we're not being given a definitive time-scale on when he will recover.

"This period is a little different to the European games before in the season. We've got this two-week break from Premiership action but then we also have a free weekend because it's a Powergen Cup weekend.

"That means we can work on the players who have been playing with knocks and give them the required rest."