WITH Aleki Lutui returning to Sixways next week Chris Fortey knows that he is in need of a big performance.

The Tongan hooker has been in France helping his country impress in the 2007 World Cup, but while the former policeman has been at the game's global showpiece it has given the Gloucester-born number two the chance to highlight his skills to the new Worcester regime.

The 32-year-old front-row man is hoping that his early run in the side will give him the edge over the Pacific Islander.

"I suppose I have got a bit of a head-start over Aleki," Fortey smiled ahead of tomorrow evening's clash with Saracens at Sixways (5pm).

"He is going to have to come back and learn all the line-out calls, but this just isn't my place. There are three or four good hookers here and I'm just fortunate to be one of them."

Having headed up the M5 three years ago from Gloucester, Fortey has been part of the traditional way of Premiership rugby - playing thr-ough the forwards.

While he was once a man who had more cards than Clintons, the hooker is now adding another dimension to his game under new coach Mike Ruddock.

"Certain aspects of our game have changed since Mike and Clive Griffiths have come in," said the former England A' player.

"They are keen on playing a more expansive game and want players to express themselves on match day.

"It does add a bit of pressure on us forwards to supply good ball for the backs, but it is like the old saying - the game is won and lost up front."

Worcester will need to make sure that they front up tomorrow when they take on the Watford-based Saracens.

Alan Gaffney's men have won both their games on the road this season, a 29-19 win over London Wasps at Twickenham on the opening day of the campaign and a 31-7 success at Leeds Carnegie.

But Fortey is keen to make sure that run is brought to a grinding halt come 6.45 tomorrow evening.

"We have to make Sixways our fortress," he said. "It is hard enough going away to try and pick up points, so we have to make sure we win at home.

"We did the double over them last season so that will give us confidence.

"We haven't started the season the way we would have wanted, so we need a win to get the season going."