INJURED centre Ryan Mills is “very unlikely” to play again this season according to Worcester Warriors boss Alan Solomons.

Mills visited a specialist last week to discover the extent of the damage sustained to his ankle in Warriors’ 34-5 defeat to Leicester Tigers earlier this month.

Solomons said he had yet to receive a medical report but reckoned Mills had played his final match of the 2017-18 Aviva Premiership campaign.

His absence is a big blow for Warriors as Mills has played an influential role in steering the Sixways side 12 points clear of the drop zone.

Worcester could also be without scrum-half Francois Hougaard for their trip to Sale Sharks on Saturday (3pm) as he battles to overcome an ankle injury.

But Solomons has been boosted by the return of Ben Te’o from England duty and the 31-year-old is now expected to start against Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium.

“At the moment I am still waiting for the medical report on Millsy,” Solomons said.

“He has got a high ankle sprain and it is very unlikely that he is going to play again this season to be honest.”

After an injury-hit start to the season, Mills has made 13 appearances for the club and signed a new long-term contract in January.

“Millsy is a key player, there is no doubt about that,” Solomons said.

“Hougaard and him are both key players for the club, but Jonny Arr is a good player and we have got Ben Te’o back which is a positive.

“We have got to get on with it.”

Te’o featured for England in their disappointing Six Nations campaign as Eddie Jones’ side finished the tournament in fifth position.

England’s successive defeats to Scotland, France and Ireland have led to calls from ex-national boss Clive Woodward for players to be rested by their clubs.

But Solomons said Te’o's situation was “slightly different” having only recently recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out for several months.

The former Leinster star has played seven times for Warriors this term but has not worn the blue and gold jersey since suffering the injury in their European Challenge Cup win over Brive in October.

“Ben had a big Lions tour which was physically and mentally demanding,” Solomons said.

“But he then sadly picked up the injury against Brive. He didn’t play for a while but worked hard on his rehab.

“Although it was an enforced break, he did have a break from rugby and we allowed him to go home (to Australia) which really helped him.

“He got a bit of sunshine and continued his rehab there which was all positive.

“It has been a demanding Six Nations for him. It is a very tough competition but he is looking good and is keen.”