KINGSLEY Jones believes tonight's Sixways showdown (8pm) is Sale's "toughest of the season."

The former Worcester skipper makes his first return since his exit almost three years ago and freely admits -- he's not looking forward to it.

Jones, who played just one season at Worcester under John Brain, is now the Sharks' forwards coach alongside Philippe Saint-Andr. And the ex-Wales international is worried that his Sale forwards are up against a Warriors pack which is now being hailed as the best in the league.

"It's the toughest game of the season for us," he said.

"We're missing 14 of our players because of injuries and international call-ups so if we can win at Sixways, it'll be the best of the season considering the circumstances.

"Worcester's pack gives us a big challenge.

"They are a big, physical unit and I've always said that John Brain drills the forwards very well.

"It'll be key for us to try and gain parity with their forwards."

The Warriors went down 57-3 when they last played Sale at Edgeley Park in September but Jones be-lieves tonight's clash will be a very different affair.

"I think Worcester caught us on a good night in September," he said.

"To be honest, I'm not really looking forward to coming back because it's going to be so tough for us."

Sale are without stars such as Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson, Mark Cueto and Sebastien Bruno while they also look likely to be deprived of Chris Jones because of Lewis Moody's finger infection.

Worcester's head coach Andy Keast is determined to earn some respect after that September spanking.

"Philippe and Kingsley must have been laughing when they thrashed us and moved us all around the field at their place," he said.

"We just hope that we can earn a bit of respect back after that performance.

"If we can pick up more points then I'm sure we'll have a beer and say 1-1.

"That would be the perfect answer but there's no divine right. We have to perform."

Sale: Hanley; Mayor, Payne, Rhys Jones; Wigglesworth; Hercus, Redpath; Turner, Roddam, Stewart, Day, Schofield, Caillet, Carter, Chabal. Replacements from: Bozzi, Coutts, Anglesea, Lund, Martens, Riley, Duffy, Jones (if released by England).