WARRIORS' skipper Pat Sanderson has warned his team-mates to ignore Northampton's Premiership form when the two sides meet in the Powergen Cup at Sixways today (2pm).

Saints are second from bottom in the table, but Sanderson says that is no indication of the talent in the squad.

"They will be keen to get a win at the weekend," he said. "They upped their game against Gloucester last week and they ran the Cherry and Whites very close.

"You have only got to look at that Northampton side to see the quality of players at their disposal. They've just got to realise they are not performing to their potential.

"There are other places I'd like to watch fly-half Carlos Spencer from as opposed to being right in front of him.

"Last time I played against him was the England v Barbarians game and he was quite impressive to put it mildly.

"It will be a big challenge for us to keep the New Zealander quiet at the weekend."

Sanderson's comments were backed up by team-mate Shane Drahm who will play against Northampton for the first time since joining Worcester in the summer.

"They haven't had a lot of success in the Premiership," he said.

"Northampton are in the same scenario as last year coming into the Powergen Cup. They will be really gunning for success in this competition and hoping to win it.

"It will be a tough game. They've got a lot to make up for. It will be a difficult game. There are no easy games any more. The change to the competition will mix it up."

Drahm is fully focussed on today's game but admits it is frustrating not to be able to make immediate amends for last Sunday's defeat at Wasps.

"It is sometimes quite difficult going from one competition to another," he said.

"In some ways we are dying to get into the Premiership because we want to make up for the loss we had on Sunday."