CENTRE Ben Te’o has suffered a setback in his road to recovery as injury problems mount at Worcester Warriors.

The British and Irish Lions star appeared to be closing in on making his first appearance for Warriors since having surgery on a quadriceps tear this summer.

But director of rugby Alan Solomons confirmed Te’o had sustained a calf injury and said he was unable to train with England earlier this week.

Tighthead prop Nick Schonert also missed out on the three-day camp in Bristol due to a dead leg sustained in Warriors’ 44-37 victory over Leicester Tigers last Sunday.

Schonert, flanker Sam Lewis (hip pointer) and lock Pierce Phillips (dislocated thumb) were all forced off in the Gallagher Premiership clash at Welford Road.

And Solomons revealed there were “two or three other players” who suffered knocks but refused to name them as he prepares to make a decision on who will face Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday (3pm).

“We have taken a few knocks,” Solomons said.

“As you could see Sammy came off with a hip pointer, Pierce came off at half-time with a dislocated thumb and there were two or three other players that have definitely (picked up knocks) but one would expect that.

“It was the fourth game on the trot at this level. It’s pretty attritional.

“I would imagine that a lot of sides are going to pick up injuries, it is just the way it is.”

Te’o’s latest injury will be a blow to his hopes of securing a place in England’s squad for November’s autumn internationals.

But Solomons insisted the injury was “not major” and felt there was still enough time for him to get back and press his case for the national team.

“Ben got a little bit of a setback with a calf injury,” Solomons said.

“I know that he did not train at the England camp on Monday and Tuesday. He wouldn’t be available for selection this week.

“I don’t think it will be a lengthy period (on the sidelines).

“It is a little bit of a setback but there is no point putting him in and considering him for selection until he is right.

“He hasn’t played until the back end of last season for us.

“I think it is (frustrating) for him as he needs to get game-time to challenge for a position in the national team for the autumn internationals.

“But there is still a bit of time to go so we will just see how things track.”

Solomons confirmed prop Ethan Waller would not be available for selection against Exeter after injuring his hip in Worcester Cavaliers’ win over Sale Jets on Monday.

And there are doubts over the fitness of injured trio Schonert, Lewis and Phillips ahead of the trip to Exeter.

“We will make a decision on everything today,” Solomons said.

“I don’t think anybody who would not available for this weekend would be (out) long term.”

On Lewis, Solomons said: “It is painful but it is not a long-term injury.

“We will take a decision one game at a time so we will decide tomorrow whether he is ready for the weekend."

On Schonert, Solomons added: “He has got a dead leg and there was no way he was going to be able to practise.

“Sometimes it takes a week (to recover), sometimes it takes two.

“We will have a look at it tomorrow and then we will make our decisions from there.”