SHANE Drahm will not make the starting line-up to face former club Northampton at Sixways tomorrow (2.45pm).

The Australian fly-half has been unable to train for the last two weeks because of an ankle injury and will have a fitness test today to see whether he can make the substitutes bench.

James Brown will continue to fill in at number ten but Drahm's absence could be significant as it was he who posted all of Worcester's 22 points when the two sides last met.

While captain Pat Sanderson remains sidelined with a back problem, there is better news for his deputy Tony Windo, who injured his arm in the New Year's Day clash at Newcastle.

An X-ray on the 36-year-old prop revealed there are no breaks and he is set to lead the side out for the seventh time this season.

Chris Horsman and Nicolas Le Roux are both still injured but Thomas Lombard is available, despite turning his ankle against Falcons.

After the disappointment of losing their unbeaten home record against Bath on Boxing Day, director of rugby John Brian is determined to re-establish Sixways as a fortress.

"We pride ourselves on our record at home and to lose at home against Bath hurt us," he said. "We certainly do not want Sixways to become an easy place for visiting teams to come and play."

The losses against Bath and Newcastle come on the back of defeat to Connacht in the European Challenge Cup and Brain is determined not to make it four defeats in a row.

"I think it has been a pretty miserable Christmas for us and we know that we need a win to lift the club and lift the supporters," said Brain.

"I was disappointed with the way we performed and our work-rate against Bath.

"The work-rate improved against Newcastle and now we need to show the qualities we've become renowned for and execute things better."

Warriors are yet to lose against Saints in the Premiership but Brain insists that will count for nothing.

"It's not a factor at all," he said. "Basically the past is just that. It has no bearing at all on Saturday.

"What both teams have to do on Saturday is ensure they get their games going. It is all about what happens from 2.45.

"They have got a lot of power and pace in the team. They can score points and tries against any team."

Robbie Kydd, who signed for Saints yesterday after recovering from a serious knee injury, will start the match at inside centre.

The former Saracens player has been out of the game for six months but his rehabilitation is complete and he has been handed a contract at Franklin's Gardens until the end of next year.

There are still a limited number of tickets available for tomorrow's game. Anyone interested in attending should call the ticket office on 0870-990-5650.