BEN Howard believes he will be under “more pressure” to prove his worth after slipping down the Warriors pecking order.

The versatile back has hailed the mature performances of Jamie Shillcock, Josh Adams and Perry Humphreys during three months on the sidelines.

Howard, 23, said it was “great” to see the likes of the young trio “flourishing” in Worcester’s Aviva Premiership campaign.

But he realises the depth of the first squad has increased in his injury absence.

“I expected to kick on and felt good with the new coaching structures in pre-season,” said Howard, who was injured in the friendly in Jersey and had an ankle operation.

“I had sat on the sidelines for the past two Premiership seasons when Chris Pennell played virtually played every minute of every game. And the minute he got injured I did as well.”

Due to Warriors’ injury crisis, Humphreys was thrown into the fray and scored three times in six league matches before he was injured at Leicester Tigers on October 8.

Teenager Shillcock has taken over at fly-half, starting Warriors’ last eight top-tier matches and scoring two tries.

The lively Adams has made seven Premiership appearances, bagging a try.

“Shilly has been awesome and kicked on and the same with Pez and Josh. It’s great to see those guys coming into the side and flourishing,” said Howard.

“If anything, that has put more pressure on me coming back because I had been an immediate back-up and now there are a lot of guys who can put their hands up and play in the back three.

“The young lads did well and in the new year with players fit again it will be a competitive squad.”

Howard returned to action in Worcester Cavaliers’ win at Oxford University and has focused on “playing well” consistently when he gets opportunities.

“I know what I can do and it’s a case of making it more consistent,” said Howard.

“I can go out there and have a really good game but not play as well the following week and that’s something I need to work on.

“I’ve always stayed relatively fit although I tore my hamstring a couple of years ago.

“The ankle injury was a bit of a shock and I had a couple of weeks at home initially.

“You then come into the club but on a different schedule to the other lads and you can feel a bit out of the loop. But now I definitely feel in a much better place with everything.”