EXPERIENCED fly-half Ryan Lamb will be making his first competitive appearance of the season in Worcester Warriors’ clash against Bedford Blues at Sixways.

The 28-year-old former Gloucester play-maker is poised to start Friday’s Greene King IPA Championship battle (7.45pm) after recovering from a neck operation in pre-season.

Warriors resume their Championship programme after three victories in pool three of the British and Irish Cup.

Worcester’s director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “I think it’s great to have Lamb back because he’s a different type of player for us and played a huge part in changing the way we played at the tail-end of last season.

“Ignacio Mieres has played outstandingly well with what he’s good at and we’ve spent a lot of time with both of them trying to make them understand what they are good at.

“I have been really pleased with Mieres’ improvement and, at the same time, seeing Tiff Eden play eight games and he looks to be heading in the right direction in his development.

“For Lamby to come back is a nice spice to add to the pot and he’s going to play because we want to see where he is.”

Ryan says centre Ryan Mills will retain his place but Jonathan Thomas (calf) and Chris Pennell (groin) are not ready to return.

“Thomas is not a million miles away and we would expect to see him in the next few weeks. Mills is there and playing is part of his rehab,” said Ryan.

“Pennell is a couple of weeks away — he is just not ready for this weekend’s selection.”

Warriors have won four of their five Championship matches this term and romped to a 47-7 success at Rotherham Titans in their last league outing on October 4.

Ryan said: “We are back to normal business. There is a real threat over selection now. If players don’t come in at the level we require from them after three weeks out then we will change it.

“We have made some selections this week that give another chance for some guys to really move forward. Three or four of them who have played in the British and Irish Cup might be in there. We will see three or four the week after and then we will make a judgement.”

Ryan added: “We are not nailing down our selections yet but we will keep poking away and making sure that players are under pressure.”