WORCESTER Warriors are set to welcome back their big guns for Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership showdown with Bristol Bears at Sixways (3pm).

Prop Nick Schonert (dead leg), flanker Sam Lewis (hip), wing Bryce Heem (groin), centre Francois Venter (collarbone) and lock Pierce Phillips (dislocated thumb) are all expected to return from injury after missing last Saturday’s 28-11 defeat at Exeter Chiefs.

Fly-half Duncan Weir who was an unused substitute at Sandy Park is also likely to shake off a dead leg to replace Jono Lance in the number 10 shirt.

Wing Josh Adams was forced off with a groin strain in the first half against Chiefs but boss Alan Solomons said it was “looking positive” that the Welshman would be fit to face Bristol having taken part in training today.

Solomons admitted the eight-day turnaround for the clash with Bears was “absolutely vital” to their efforts to get players back to full fitness.

“(Francois and Bryce) should be fine,” Solomons said.

“Francois had taken a battering on his AC joint and it was felt that there comes a point where we were going to end up with an injury.

“Bryce had a mild groin strain and with a winger that is always a risk but he will be fine.

“Sammy had a hip pointer but he should also be fine as he was running quite well by the end of last week.

“Nick had a dead leg so he should be fine as well and Pierce Phillips looks fine to be considered for selection as well.

“It was a dislocation, but it has gone back in and the specialist is happy with it.”

Weir played a starring role in Warriors’ 44-37 victory over Leicester Tigers at Welford Road only to be sat on the bench at Chiefs.

“Duncan could have played had he needed to,” said Solomons on his decision not to bring Weir on.

“But there were a number of factors (why he stayed on the bench).

“Firstly I thought it was great for Jono to get a full game. Secondly if we had lost another player we would have had no one to put onto the field so someone had to hold off. And thirdly he had a slight dead leg.

“He could have played to be honest with you but as a precaution it was not necessary.

“He is 100 per cent (fit).”

Solomons also explained why Adams was replaced by scrum-half Michael Heaney on 30 minutes which led talismanic number nine Francois Hougaard to move out wide while centre Ollie Lawrence who can play on the wing had to wait until the hour mark to make his top-flight debut.

“Josh going off was a big loss for us because he is a really big player,” Solomons said.

“He tried to run on it but it wasn’t comfortable.

“He has had a similar injury in the past and he said he was pretty confident he would be alright.

“Francois Hougaard has played international rugby on the wing and I thought at that stage in the game it would be better for him to go there.

“Michael did a good job at nine and what was great was that we were able to get Ollie to go in his proper position at 13 which is important for a lad having his first hit out in the Premiership.”