MATT Cox is set to be handed his first start in more than four months when Worcester Warriors visit Brive in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday (2.30pm).

The experienced back rower, who has made 71 appearances for Worcester, has overcome a bicep injury sustained during a training session in mid-September.

After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Cox, 29, made his return to first-team action last Saturday when he came off the bench in Worcester’s 24-24 draw with Connacht.

And head coach Carl Hogg revealed the Redditch-born forward would now get a chance to impress from the start as Warriors bid to secure their place in the last eight.

“It has been a frustrating time for Matt,” Hogg said.

“He has been out for a number of months so for him to be back available is great and he’ll get an opportunity to start on the weekend.

“We will then assess where he goes from there but he is raring to go.

“He has got experience and the ability to play six, seven and eight which gives us great flexibility.”

Hogg also said flanker Alafoti Fa’osiliva was “fit and firing” after recovering from a knock which forced him to miss Worcester’s clash against Connacht.

But 38-year-old lock Donncha O’Callaghan and wing Bryce Heem are spending time away from the club while Will Spencer underwent a “small” ankle operation on Monday.

Hogg confirmed “one or two” more senior players would be rested this weekend but stressed he would put out a strong team in the Pool Five decider.

As things stand, Warriors are one of the three best-placed runners-up but will need to beat Brive to get through or else they will have to rely on other results going their way.

“Bryce is on a break so he is back in New Zealand,” Hogg said.

“Donncha is also on a break and Spencer is getting his ankle tidied up.

“One or two of the senior players were given a rest this week.

“We sat down prior to Christmas and planned out the next couple of weeks until the end of the season.

“The Premiership and European Challenge Cup are tough competitions and as you can see by the rate of injuries across the whole league you have got to be careful with how you manage players.

“So there will be one or two changes for Brive but it will be a similar side (to last week).

“We have got an opportunity to progress to a quarter-final for the first time since 2009 and that’s what we are looking to achieve.”