DIRECTOR of rugby John Brain believes Worcester can go into tonight's Guinness Premiership showdown with Harlequins at Sixways (8pm) in a positive frame of mind despite an agonising 16-14 defeat against London Irish just five days ago.

That two-point reversal was their ninth loss in 10 Premiership games but Brain remains upbeat and is convinced his side can get back on track against the Middlesex outfit.

"There are the physical and mental aspects of a five-day turnaround but it is the same for Quins," he said. "They lost at home on Friday, which will be disappointing for them.

"We have all got to deal with the same issues but I still think there is a lot to be positive about. We are playing much better than we were five or six weeks ago. There's no doubt about that.

"Although we lost on Friday and that is a blow to our momentum, it's not a serious blow.

"It's not as if we have come out and taken four tries and been hammered. It was a war of attrition out there.

"There was a lot of kicking and they won the kicking battle and that is why they edged the game."

Brain admits defeat to the Exiles has raised the stakes for Warriors' remaining Christmas fixtures.

After tonight, they travel to Northampton on New Year's Day and London Wasps on Sunday, January 7. Brain said: "From the four games that we play over Christmas, we always felt that we needed two wins - eight points. Unfortunately, we only got one on Friday night and we move on.

"I don't think there is anything for us to get unduly negative about. What we have got to look at is the performance on the night.

"The players gave it their best shot and they have not come away with the result. Quins will be a different game."

Quins' 20-16 home defeat to Saracens on Friday means they are still far from safe with just 17 points so far.

They are now second from bottom after Newcastle beat Sale 40-25 yesterday.

Dean Richards' side will be looking to complete the double over Warriors, having beaten them 20-6 at the Stoop last month.

Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall returns to Sixways for the first time since his summer exit.