MARCO Mama is fit and ready to go but is expected to miss Worcester Warriors' Premiership Cup opener against Leicester Tigers at Sixways on Saturday (3pm).

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said the back rower "could play" this weekend but felt the "more prudent course of action" would be to hold him back for Warriors' trip to Bath next Saturday.

Mama, 28, was withdrawn from action following what was thought to be a dead leg at the back end of April only for compartment syndrome – a condition that causes bleeding in the muscles – to prematurely end his campaign.

A series of operations followed, prompting fears among the fans that the forward favourite would have the start of this season disrupted.

Solomons has remained positive over the prospect of Mama returning in time for the big kick-off, though, and confirmed the Zimbabwean had not had his preparations limited.

“Marco is back in full training and has had no problems,” Solomons said.

“He has trained really well and that comes from looking after himself incredibly well, he is the consummate professional who knows and understands his body.

“I knew he would be back, I had no doubt about it.

“Our medical staff did a terrific job, he went to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and the specialists there also did a great job.

“From there it was over to Marco and he did all the right things.

“I think it is good for the team that a player who has played an outstanding role for the club for the past few years is back in the harness.

“When you think about it, Marco finished the season really well and he is a grand player. For me, he is international quality.”

Asked whether Marco was poised to face Tigers, Solomons added: "I would probably say that I would hold back Marco for a week with what he has had.

"He could play but I think the more prudent course of action would be to look at the second game."

Meanwhile, Solomons indicated the Rugby World Cup would have little bearing on his thinking when it comes to recruitment while playing down the prospect of rivals being short of star turns.

“I don’t think it will change much for us, we have Joe Taufete’e at hooker playing for USA and Ed Fidow wit Samoa but no one else is involved,” he added.

“I don’t foresee any change but you can never tell. It is a question of injuries for us more than people being away at the World Cup.

“There are clubs that will be harder hit than others but I find that all the clubs in the Premiership have strength in depth and there are no easy games.

“I go back to last season, Saracens did not play the bulk of their first stringers against us on the last day but were still a terrific team. We only managed to win at the absolute death.”