DEAN Hammond and Bryce Heem could be moved into midfield as Worcester Warriors bid to solve their conundrum at centre.

The two wingers have previously worn the number 13 jersey and backs coach Sam Vesty admitted they were among “two or three options” that could cover that position.

Warriors have been further depleted at centre after it was confirmed this week Wynand Olivier (hamstring) had joined Ben Te’o (ankle) on the club’s long injury list.

Ex-South Africa international Olivier faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines while England ace Te’o is expected to be out for three months. Ryan Mills (quad) and Max Stelling (ankle) are also recovering from injuries.

Jackson Willison is the only fully-fit, recognised centre in the first team while academy ace Will Butler is expected to get his chance to shine in Warriors’ Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Sale Sharks at Sixways on Friday (7.45pm).

But Vesty said he was considering playing players in “different positions” in the competition which may see Heem and Hammond get opportunities to fill Olivier’s shoes.

“I don’t want to give too many of our cards away,” Vesty said.

“But we have got a couple of ways of filling that space and Dean has played there in the past.

“It is good to see Bryce running around and he is another option, so there are two or three options which can cover that position.”

Asked whether he was looking to experiment with players against Sale, Vesty replied: “It is not the main focus of what we are trying to do.

“But there will be an opportunity for a couple of guys to play in slightly different positions.

“That’s about seeing if players are able to cover different positions, but also about getting our best players onto the pitch.”

Heem is likely to feature as he looks to improve his match fitness after overcoming a quad problem.

Hammond is also expected to play as he bids to continue his try-scoring form. The 25-year-old bagged a brace in Worcester Cavaliers’ 32-6 win over Wasps before scoring a late double in Warriors’ 41-35 defeat at Harlequins last Saturday.

“Dean was very disappointed (to not be in the squad) as he played really well for the Cavaliers on the Monday night,” Vesty said.

“But he responded exactly how we wanted him to as he got on with it, worked really hard in training and came off the bench and got on the end a few nice bits of play.

“He got two tries which is what we want from our wings.

“We have got good, young wingers so there is real competition for places but that’s what pushes them.

“They know they have got to be good every week to keep their places.”