THINUS Delport returned to training yesterday to hand Worcester Warriors a boost ahead of Friday's trip to Premiership basement side Leeds.

The South African has been missing since the middle of January following knee ligament damage but is now in contention for the Tykes game after a surgeon gave him the all-clear.

His return couldn't be more timely given that full-back Nicolas Le Roux is a major doubt because of a back problem.

Delport may also be needed as cover on the wing with Mark Tucker suffering from a dead leg.

Aisea Havili and Chris Fortey are both available after missing the 28-22 defeat at Leicester Tigers with minor injuries. Drew Hickey and Andre Van Niekerk both came off with shoulder problems in the match at Welford Road but their withdrawals were only precautionary.

James Brown could also figure at Headingley Carnegie after returning to training following hamstring trouble.

The Tykes have their own problems after three of their young players were called up to play junior level rugby with England, sparking an angry reaction from Leeds director of rugby Phil Davies.

Leeds will have to release Jordan Crane to play for England Under 21 on Friday and Danny Care and David Doherty for the England Under 19 game against Scotland this weekend.

Davies has accused the RFU of hypocrisy after performance director Chris Spice last week accused clubs at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership of stunting the development of young England players.

"We have only got 20 players available at the moment," He said. "The RFU deems age-group rugby to be more important than the Premiership, which seems to conflict with Chris Spice's comments last week.

"They want clubs to give young players a chance but it seems that we are being punished for bringing through young England players."