WORCESTER Warriors are set to make a late call on the fitness of back rower Marco Mama ahead of Saturday's meeting with Pau at Sixways (3pm).

Head coach Rory Duncan said he wanted to select the “strongest possible team” for the European Challenge Cup clash with fly-half Duncan Weir, wing Bryce Heem and tighthead prop Nick Schonert among those that are likely to come back into the side.

But Duncan admitted he was wary of fielding players that could be at risk of aggravating any “niggling injuries” ahead Warriors’ return to Premiership action next week.

Mama has been battling to overcome a hamstring issue that has ruled him out since Worcester’s 52-7 thrashing of Bristol Bears in early October.

“Marco has been working really hard with the strength and conditioning guys to bring him back on the pitch,” Duncan said.

“If all goes well hopefully he’ll get a run out.”

Duncan said he was also waiting on an update on captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze who has been nursing a shoulder problem picked up at Gloucester.

“(Marco and GJ) have been training,” Duncan said.

“We want to make a call later on this week as to whether they play.

“We are not going to take any risks with players.”

There are also doubts over flanker Sam Lewis (hamstring) and Francois Hougaard (knee) who have not played since the win over Harlequins three weeks ago.

“Any players that are carrying niggling injuries won’t be considered but if they pass a medical and make it through then they will be considered for selection,” Duncan added.

Locks Darren Barry and Andrew Kitchener, fly-half Jamie Shillcock and hooker Niall Annett are all unavailable after suffering knocks in Worcester’s 21-6 defeat at Pau last Friday.

“We did pick up a number of injuries,” Duncan said.

“But with our rotation policy the guys who were given a break last week will be back this week.

“The idea is to try and field the strongest possible team.”

He added: “You don’t want players to be off for too long before they go into another Premiership block.

“You want them to prepare and get a bit of game-time under their belt before they go back in again and I believe that we have managed players well this season.”

Warriors’ loss at Pau allowed Ospreys who thumped Stade Francais 51-20 to leapfrog them at the top of Pool Two.

“We haven’t really been paying too much attention to the table,” Duncan said. “We would like to be in top spot so we will certainly fight for that this weekend.”