Worcester will know today whether inspirational hooker Andre van Niekerk requires surgery on the shoulder injury that ended his participation in Saturday's Powergen Cup loss to Northampton Saints.

The South African was forced from the field ten minutes from the end of Warriors' 22-7 defeat - their first at Sixways this season - after suffering a dislocated shoulder.

He was sent for scans on the joint yesterday and the results will determine whether the 28-year-old will be ruled out for months or weeks.

" It is not terribly favourable at the moment," head coach Anthony Eddy said.

"There is no structural damage but we do not know at this stage whether he requires surgery.

"If reconstruction is needed it could be five or six months but hopefully it will not be a matter of that and he will just be able to go straight into rehab."

The injury, sustained trying to prevent Ben Cohen adding to his two tries, is similar to the one that has delayed Lee Fortey's start to the Premiership season.

Worcester will hope for the same outcome since the prop is rehabilitating well and could be in line for a return to action in four to six weeks.

The club look as though they will avert an immediate hooker crisis with the return to action of Lee's brother Chris who missed the Saints match with a foot injury.

The former Gloucester player stood on a nail in his garden the day before the cup match but is likely to be fit in time for Saturday's match at Leicester.

Iryan Clunis sat on the bench last weekend and could do so again against Tigers although Eddy said that if van Niekerk was ruled out for a long time they could be forced to look for a replacement.

Centre Dale Rasmussen will also find out the extent of his knee problem although the news about Thinus Delport and James Brown is more promising with a possible comeback for both men this weekend. n Moseley and Stourbridge have produced contrasting reactions to their Powergen Trophy fourthround draws even though both sides have been drawn at home.

The Billesley Common side have been paired with National Three North side Tynedale - conquerors of Nuneaton last weekend - and head coach Ian Smith has welcomed the opportunity to play knock-out rugby.

"It is a good yardstick of how far you have come," Smith said.

"At this stage we would hope to progress and get a bigger side in the next round when we can really test ourselves.

"The cup is all about public relations, if you can get a good cup run it retains momentum from the league programme and puts your name up there to be noticed."

But Neil Mitchell, the director of rugby at Stourton Park, was rather less enthusiastic about his team's meeting with Rosslyn Park and did not hide where this season's focus lies, saying: "My main priority is the league, particularly until we know what is happening with the relegation situation.

"I have got 39 players in my squad who are champing at the bit and will use that game to give them an opportunity."

Broadstreet have been rewarded for their giantkilling of Leicester Lions last Saturday with a home tie against Tynedale's league rivals Blaydon.

* Warwickshire want a head coach for their senior county side.

Chris Tarbuck, Nuneaton's director of rugby, stepped down at the end of last season and his replacement will head a new coaching team aimed at securing a return the top flight of the County Championship. The new coach will be joined by an assistant coach, or two assistant coaches.

Applicants should have reached Level Two coaching standard or be working towards that qualification. Candidates should contact Charlie McGinty, the Warwickshire secretary, on 07801 869730.