FULL-BACK Chris Pennell “is unlikely to feature for the next couple of weeks” as his injury-hit season continues.

The Worcester-born star, who has racked up 172 first-team appearances for the club, has been hampered by a heel injury.

Pennell, 29, has played just seven games this term after suffering a neck problem in pre-season.

“Chris is unlikely to feature for the next couple of weeks because he’s got a heel injury which just needs a little time to settle,” said Warriors head coach Carl Hogg.

“It’s been lingering for a little while. He actually got it at Exeter Chiefs (in November) and it’s something we have been trying to manage.

“However, it has flared up so he’s going to have a bit of time on the sidelines just to make sure it’s right.”

Pennell played in all of Warriors’ 22 Premiership matches last season despite being hindered by a neck problem for the final five months.

He initially suffered the neck injury in the 29-20 home defeat to Leicester Tigers in December 2015.

He had an operation to repair a bulging disc over the summer which allowed him to regain full strength in his arm and shoulder.

The full-back declared he was in his best condition for two or three years before his comeback against Brive in the European Challenge Cup in October.

Meanwhile, fit-again lock Will Spencer is getting “up to match speed” after returning to the fold from a back problem.

The former Bath second row played 60 minutes in Worcester’s 33-20 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in Europe in December during his first outing in two years.

Spencer featured for an hour in Warriors’ 22-7 defeat at Dragons the following week and was a replacement for 27 minutes in their Premiership horror show at Bristol on Boxing Day.

“Will is reintegrating and is fit and available and it’s just getting him up to match speed,” explained Hogg.

“There’s a huge amount of difference between training and playing 20 minutes in games as opposed to going 60 minutes in the Premiership.”