WARRIORS are closing in on their first signing of the summer with an international player set to join the club.

The identity of the new man is being kept under wraps but British Lions centre Gavin Henson is thought to be one of the names in the frame.

Sources in South Wales claim Henson has already held talks with officials from Sixways. But the Wales back has one year left on his contract with Magners League side Ospreys and it would take a considerable sum to prise him away from the Swansea club.

Worcester's new director of rugby Mike Ruddock was in charge of the national team when Henson sprung to prominence during Wales' 2005 Grand Slam success and has been linked with the player since taking over at Sixways nine days ago.

Chairman Cecil Duckworth was in negotiations with "two or three" players before the departure of Ruddock's predecessor John Brain and is hopeful those will come to fruition now the club have secured their immediate Premiership future.

"We are talking to one or two players but we didn't know where we were until last Saturday," said Duckworth. "There are two or three in the pipeline. We are more or less there with one."

With the World Cup taking place in the autumn, Duckworth knows the importance of making the squad stronger and deeper during the off-season.

He said: "We are not that far away if we get four or five quality players to supplement what we have, plus some of our academy players."

Centres Thomas Lombard and Miguel Avramovic have already left the club, while Ruddock and Duckworth are set to review the rest of the playing staff during the summer.

Duckworth said: "Some of the players that are under contract, we may decide that they don't fit into our new approach. It is not going to be done overnight."

The chairman also admitted players may be released in the course of next season if they do not come up to scratch.

Duckworth is desperate to avoid the problems endured last autumn when the team went eight games without a league win.

Cover will be needed for a host of players during the World Cup. Chris Horsman and Aleki Lutui are almost certain to be involved with their national sides, while new signing Sam Tuitupou will not arrive at Sixways until New Zealand's campaign in France is over.

Pat Sanderson is currently in the England squad and Dale Rasmussen's impressive season has sparked interest from Samoa's selectors.