CAPTAIN Gerrit-Jan van Velze has fractured his arm and director of rugby Alan Solomons said: “We will miss him a great deal.”

It is not known how long Worcester Warriors’ number eight will be out for until he has undergone a scan and seen a specialist.

But Solomons said van Velze had damaged a plate in his right forearm which he had previously broken and would been unavailable for Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers at Sixways (1pm).

The 31-year-old sustained the injury in the second half of Worcester’s 47-33 defeat at Harlequins last Saturday.

“He has got a re-fracture of his arm as I think he has got a plate in there and there are some screws that are not too good,” Solomons said.

“We have got to wait until the scans have been done. The specialist has got to have a look at it and decide what course of action needs to be taken.

“But he certainly won’t be playing this weekend.”

Van Velze has made 16 appearances this term and penned a new two-year contract in December last year.

“He has played outstandingly for us all season and has done a great job as a captain so of course we will miss him a great deal,” Solomons said.

Asked when he will get a return date for van Velze, Solomons added: “Once the specialist has looked at the scans so hopefully during the course of this week or early next week.

Solomons also ruled scrum-half Jonny Arr (knee) and wing Perry Humphreys (ankle) out of contention to face Leicester.

But he confirmed lock Pierce Phillips had recovered from a foot issue and fly-halves Jono Lance and Jamie Shillcock were also back available.

“Jonny is still out with a bit of a knee injury,” Solomons said.

“He picked it up last week and it has been bothering him. Jono and Shilly are back practising.

“Pierce has taken full part in practice this week as it was not a major thing.”

Lance has not played since Warriors’ win over Stade Francais in Paris in October due to a partial stress fracture to his back. Shillcock is also back after overcoming a leg injury sustained in December.

The duo will battle it out for the number 10 jersey with first-choice stand-off Duncan Weir who has been released by Scotland.

“They took part in training last week and have had a full week so far,” Solomons said.

“They will all be up for selection so we have got to look at it and make our decision from there but it is good to have people available.”