CHRIS Pennell is likely to miss Worcester Warriors’ European Challenge Cup opener against Brive at Sixways on Saturday (3pm).

The experienced full-back was forced off for head injury assessment (HIA) in Warriors’ 29-13 defeat at Bath in the Aviva Premiership at the weekend.

And the 30-year-old did not return to the field, forcing Warriors into a reshuffle as he was replaced by fly-half Jono Lance.

“Jamie Shillcock went to full-back because Chris came off for a HIA,” Hogg explained.

“He will do a graded return to play over the next seven days.”

Shillcock was given the nod ahead of new arrival Lance, but the Australian stand-off looks set to make his full debut against Brive.

Warriors travel to Ireland to face Connacht the following Saturday.

“Jono looks a good player,” Hogg added.

“He looks confident with the ball, so we will reintegrate him over the next couple of weeks.”