POWERFUL wing Bryce Heem will be among “some strong names” returning to Worcester Warriors’ line-up for Saturday’s home Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Harlequins (3pm).

Head coach Carl Hogg could not confirm whether scrum-half Francois Hougaard would be ready to make his long-awaited comeback after shoulder surgery.

Fly-half Jamie Shillcock is struggling after taking a blow to the knee in the first half of Worcester’s 57-14 European Challenge Cup victory against Russian minnows Enisei-STM last Saturday.

The teenage stand-off is currently on crutches and was due to have a scan on his knee today.

“Jamie’s got an MRI scan just to make sure his knee joint is sound so hopefully it won’t be too significant,” said Hogg.

Heem hurt his knee in pre-season and made his first appearance of the season with a try after coming off the bench in Worcester's Premiership home match against Northampton Saints on November 18.

The wing then played 51 minutes in Warriors’ battering at Exeter Chiefs before fracturing a knuckle in Worcester’s defeat against Wasps at the beginning of December.

Hogg said: “We will look at Bryce returning at the weekend and we are looking at whether Francois has got enough work under his belt.

“Bryce is a quality player and he will be missed in any side. He gives us a point of difference. He’s big, strong and physical on the wing and he can finish so he’s a huge asset to any side.”

South African star Hougaard has not played for Warriors since last April.

He returned to Sixways after international duty in the autumn with an undiagnosed shoulder injury which needed an operation.

Hogg said: “We will see how Francois travels in training over the next couple of days and then we will make an assessment closer to the game.

“Francois will either play against Quins or Cardiff Blues.

“We will see how he travels and reintegrates into the programme and then we will make a decision.

“He’s on his own individual programme but has been doing rugby elements in that.”

Warriors have played twice in this season’s Anglo-Welsh Cup, winning 31-25 against Bristol but going down 62-10 at Wasps.

Warriors recorded a deserved 24-17 Premiership victory against Quins on January 1 and Hogg plans to use this weekend’s fixture to build momentum into his side.

“We will look to re-integrate some of the first-team squad in preparation for the next Premiership block so it’s about getting a balance of opportunity and first team,” said Hogg.

“There will be some strong names coming back into the side who have been regular Premiership players.”

However, full-back Chris Pennell remains sidelined for at least another month with a damaged heel.

Pennell has not featured since Worcester’s Premiership defeat at relegation rivals Bristol on Boxing Day.

“Chris will still be a month away but there are other significant players on the horizon who we are looking to get back involved,” said Hogg.

Versatile back Josh Adams, who took a blow to the face when Quins last visited Sixways, is on the return to play concussion protocol pathway.

Fly-half Tom Heathcote, who suffered a head injury at Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November, is still in the hands of the medical staff.

“Tommy is going to see a neurologist next week and hopefully we will get the greenlight to re-integrate him,” said Hogg.

Fellow fly-half Ryan Lamb, who had a “significant” neck injury, is “a week or two from returning” to training, according to Hogg.