WARRIORS' teenage wing Uche Oduoza has returned to training for the first time since straining a quad muscle in January.

The 19-year-old speedster is in contention for a return to the first team after being sidelined for the last six weeks with his leg injury.

He aggravated the injury during a pre-match warm-up before Worcester's European Challenge Cup match with Catania on January 14.

Another wing, Aisea Havili, has been suffering from a sore shoulder, as has his Tongan compatriot Tevita Taumopeau.

Neither player is expected to miss next week's Sixways showdown with Premiership champions Wasps and fly-half Shane Drahm should also be fit despite receiving a bump on the head last Friday at Leeds.

Club captain Pat Sanderson has also returned to training but has not yet taken part in contact work. He is still expected to lead the side out for the Wasps match.

Another back injury victim, Nicolas Le Roux, saw an osteopath yesterday and should return to training next week.

The one fitness concern that remains for Warriors is fly-half James Brown, who was due to see a specialist yesterday in a bid to see off his nagging hamstring problem.

Director of rugby John Brain said: "We want to get another opinion on that. He is 95 per cent and we want to see what we can do to get the extra five per cent."

Meanwhile, a brace of tries from wing Jonny Hylton could not prevent Worcester from losing 32-30 in their Guinness 'A' fixture at Northampton Wanderers.

More than 1,000 spectators turned out for the game at Franklin's Gardens and they witnessed a stirring Warriors comeback with three unanswered tries in the last quarter of the game.

As well as Hylton's effort, there was also a try for Sam Robinson and a penalty try. Jamie Lennard scored a pair of penalties, while there was a conversion each for Chris Pennell and Gareth Morgan.

Tongan flanker Johnny Tuamoheloa returned to action after missing the last four Premiership games and hooker Andre Van Niekerk continued his rehabilitation following a long-term shoulder injury.

Warriors have confirmed that 18-year-old Will Jones has been invited to train with the academy but has not signed a contract.

The flanker became the youngest ever player to appear in the Zurich 'A' League when he made his debut for Gloucester United against Harlequins, aged 17.