WING Tom Howe "is on the cusp of returning" for Warriors ahead of Saturday's trip to Leicester (3pm).

A calf complaint announced earlier this month had Worcester believing Howe would be sidelined for up to eight weeks but director of rugby Alan Solomons reported a healthier prognosis the following week.

Howe, who recently extended his Sixways deal until the end of 2021-22, has since taken part in full training and could be in line to feature at Welford Road.

But Solomons insists there will be no hurry, particularly on the back of stand-in Nick David highlighting his senior credentials with two tries in as many Premiership matches.

“Tommy is not far off, he is on the cusp of returning,”

“He took a full part in today’s (Wednesday’s) practice and I would say it is possible he could come into consideration but one must bear in mind, I thought Nick David had a terrific game."

Solomons described Sunday's 13-10 defeat at Bristol as a bruising encounter but reported no concerns that would keep anyone other than existing patients in the treatment room.

“Ash (Beck) went off but it is not as bad as initially thought,” he added.

“It was more a stinger than anything else. While this week may be one too soon, particularly with the six-day turnaround, it doesn’t look like it will be go beyond the week.

“There were a lot of bumps, bruises and knocks – we did make 294 tackles in the game and I thought the defensive effort was enormous – but there was no one else who will be unavailable for selection (at Leicester) coming out of that game."

Dean Hammond, Ed Fidow and Francois Venter will not take part in the final match before another break for other competitions.

Callum Black is in the same boat but "is going well, we think he will be available for the next block of games" according to Solomons.

Justin Clegg "is not there yet but he is close", while GJ van Velze has recovered from a minor calf problem.

Warriors will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins over the Tigers having won 57-23 in the Premiership Cup and 24-16 in the league at Sixways.