WORCESTER'S hopes of staging a Premiership recovery have been given a shot in the arm after it emerged flanker Gavin Quinnell could be back in action by the first week of January.

The powerful back-row forward suffered medial ligament damage in the EDF En-ergy Cup clash with Newport at the start of December and it was thought he would be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks.

But the speed of Quinnell's recovery has surprised staff at Sixways and it is hoped he could play some part in Worcester's busy New Year programme.

"Gavin Quinnell is making good progress," said director of rugby John Brain. "That is looking more like a four-week injury rather than a six-week injury. He's rehabing very well and he might be back sooner than first thought.

"That's how it is looking but we will take things week by week."

Brain did strike one cautionary note, adding it is not uncommon for players to suffer setbacks in the latter stages of their rehabilitation.

But news of a possible early return will be an enormous boost to Warriors supporters as the team embarks on a potentially season-defining period.

Following Saturday's European Challenge Cup match away to Albi, they face four consecutive Guinness Prem-iership matches.

There is a chance Quinnell could now figure in two of those games as well as the visit of Clermont Auvergne - a match which will probably determine whether Worcester make the knock-out stages of the Challenge Cup.

The trip to Albi at the weekend could see a first Warriors appearance in more than two months for winger Uche Oduoza. The 20-year-old, who has been on loan with Moseley, was due to feature in Sat-urday's victory over the Fr-ench side but damaged his knee while playing in an A' match against Newcastle.

Oduoza, along with prop Callum Black and full-back Jamie Lennard, has been with the National One side to get games under his belt. Brain had also considered loaning Will Bowley to the Billesley Common club but the flanker has since broken into the senior side.

Oduoza is not the only speedster in line for a Worces-ter comeback. Aisea Havili's foot injury and Marcel Garvey's participation in the England Sevens tour kept them out of Saturday's game but they are both available for this weekend.

"Aisea is fine. He had a precautionary scan but he is 100 per cent fit," added Brain.

Prop Tony Windo, who has only played 40 minutes of rugby so far this season, is set to return to the squad but Drew Hickey is doubtful as he continues his recovery from a rib injury.