FULL-BACK Chris Pennell is set to make his long-awaited Worcester Warriors return in Saturday’s European Challenge Cup against French club Brive at Sixways (3pm).

The 29-year-old has been sidelined with a neck injury so far this season and last featured for Warriors in their 43-19 Aviva Premiership defeat against Saracens in May.

Pennell, who made 23 appearances and scored two tries last term, missed Warriors’ entire pre-season schedule after needing an operation.

Warriors will aim to bounce back from a 19-12 defeat against Russian outfit Enisei-STM in their opening Pool Three match in Moscow last Saturday.

Pennell said: "It's been very frustrating to miss the start of the season with injury but now I'm desperate to get out on the pitch.

"I've been cheering the boys on but it's not the same when you want to be out there and helping your team so this weekend I'll certainly be looking to put in a big shift.”

Pennell has been among a host of frontline players at Sixways ruled out through injury in the early stages of the campaign.

Youngsters such as Jamie Shillcock and Josh Adams have impressed at full-back in Pennell's absence.

And, at one stage due to injuries in last Saturday's match, Adams switched to the wing and fly-half Tiff Eden slotted in at full-back.

Worcester-born Pennell knows he will have to be at his best to cement his place in Warriors' starting line-up.

Pennell said: "Shilly (Shillcock) and the other youngsters have really stepped up in the absence of some of the senior boys and they've been fantastic.

"Having been injured, I now have to try to get back to my best as the standard has really been set and it's fantastic for the club.

"We have shown we have young players who are able to step up to the plate and that raises the bar across the board.

"It encourages everyone to play at their best because there'll be someone on your heels chomping at the bit for their chance.”

Adams and Italian prop Derrick Appiah crossed the whitewash in Worcester’s loss at the Slava Stadium, with Shillcock adding a conversion.

French Top 14 club Brive suffered a 37-16 defeat at Pro-12 outfit Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in their European opener.