NUMBER eight Semisi Taulava has been sidelined for “a couple of months” after suffering a medial knee ligament injury against Newcastle Falcons.

The former Rotherham back-row powerhouse has been a key man in Dean Ryan’s side and will be joined in the treatment room by centre Ravai Fatiaki (ankle) who will be out of action for around a month.

The Fijian midfielder limped out of the Falcons clash, which Warriors lost 16-11, after just 19 minutes and is likely to be replaced by the returning Alex Grove, who has recovered from a groin problem.

With Argentina international Leonardo Senatore free to play after the Exeter game at the end of this month following his ban for biting, he can join the back-row resources, which would allow club captain Jonathan Thomas to switch to number eight in place of Taulava.

Director of rugby Ryan said: “We’ve lost Semisi for a significant chunk of time and he will be out for a couple of months I’d imagine.

“It gives someone else an opportunity and Richard de Carpentier brings a bit of energy — he’s a bit more raw and not as big as Semisi, but he adds great physicality. Rav has not broken anything, which is key, but he has damaged his ankle joint and he’ll be out for a few weeks.

“We’ve got James Percival to come back as well and that changes the nature of the side a bit too, but he won’t be ready this weekend.”

Senatore has been joined by his Argentinean compatriots, hooker Agustin Creevy and lock Mariano Galarza, at Warriors, who play at French outfit Oyonnax in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Ryan added: “Gus arrived today and Mariano arrived on Tuesday. We’ll take Mariano to France with us and try to get him involved against Oyonnax.

“With Gus having just got off the plane, he probably won’t be involved.”