WASPS director of rugby Dai Young says he always worries about matches at Sixways and has labelled Worcester Warriors ‘a very difficult team to crack’.

The second-placed Coventry-based club are red-hot favourites to continue their winning streak in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership West Midlands derby (3pm).

Young expects a tough test against second-bottom Warriors but believes Wasps will “ride it home in the second half’ if they can pull clear of the hosts.

“I always worry about going to Worcester because they are a very difficult team to crack,” said Young, whose side have won their last six games in all competitions.

“If we get a couple of scores in front of them, we’ll ride it home in the second half, but if they’re in the game after an hour they’ll cause us problems.”

Wasps romped to a 54-35 Premiership win at Sixways last season, which saw Christian Wade bag six tries.

And Wasps crushed Warriors 62-10 last month at the Ricoh Arena in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Wade is not expected to recover from the foot injury which forced him off in Wasps’ win against Sale Sharks last Sunday.

“Worcester are scrapping for their lives,” said Young.

“Bristol are picking up bonus points here and there, which I’m sure isn’t lost on them, and they probably feel they need another couple of wins to have breathing space which makes every home game a cup final for them.

“From our point of view the table is tight and we just need to keep on winning.

“It’s a difficult period for us with all the injuries, but if we can come out of this period in the same position we went into it, we are set up for a good business end to the season.”

Warriors have been decimated by injuries to key players this term and endured a miserable evening in their 57-22 defeat at Exeter Chiefs last Saturday.

While centre Ben Te’o is again on England duty, but winger Cooper Vuna (Tonga) and flanker Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Samoa) should be available and new signing Connor Braid (Canada) could also be in the mix.

Wasps have also been struck by an injury crisis and Young will be without 13 of his 38-strong senior squad for last weekend’s victory.

“We are really down on numbers but it happens and we’re no different to any other team,” said Young.

“It’s going to be a test of our squad because we’ve picked up so many injuries, but that’s what the squad is there for, and we’ll see the strength of it at Worcester."

Hooker Tom Cruse needs an ankle operation, while Jake Cooper-Woolley, Alex Lundberg and Craig Hampson remain short of full fitness.

Jimmy Gopperth (knee), Kyle Eastmond (chest/rib) and Matt Symons (foot) are all “touch-and-go,” according to Young.