WORCESTER Warriors have been dealt a double-injury blow ahead of the Gallagher Premiership fixture with Exeter Chiefs this weekend.

Head coach Jonathan Thomas confirmed many people's fears that fly-half Owen Williams has suffered a torn hamstring, which will keep him off the pitch for a "long spell".

Thomas reported that youngster Fin Smith will be returning from his loan spell with Ampthill to provide back-up to Williams' expected replacement Billy Searle.

The bad news did not stop there, unfortunately, as Thomas also reported that full-back Melani Nanai has picked up a hamstring problem.

He said that it was not as serious as Williams but will still keep the former Super Rugby man on the sideline for "a few weeks".

The news comes just after it was also confirmed that captain Ted Hill has been banned for three games following his red card in the defeat to Gloucester last weekend.

He will miss fixtures with Chiefs, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints.

There was some more positive news from the head coach during the press conference on Wednesday.

He is hoping that both Rory Sutherland and Duhan van der Merwe will be involved in the clash with Chiefs at Sandy Park.

The British and Irish Lions duo, as well as former England winger Chris Ashton and second-row Andrew Kitchener, are all fit to play, but Thomas says a decision will be made on Thursday.