EXPLOSIVE backs Bryce Heem and Ben Te’o could be in the mix for selection as winless Worcester Warriors look ahead to Sunday’s Premiership tussle with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road (3pm).

Wing Heem is nursing an ankle injury sustained in the first half of Warriors’ 23-20 defeat to Newcastle Falcons at Sixways last Saturday.

Centre Te’o has been in full training with the squad as he bids to make his first appearance since undergoing surgery on a quadriceps tear this summer.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was “quietly optimistic” Heem would be fit to face Leicester and Te’o was “fairly close” to returning to action.

But Solomons stressed he would wait until later this week before making a decision on whether to pick the duo for the Midlands derby.

“Bryce is going alright,” Solomons said.

“You get knocks, bumps and bruises and we have just got wait to see how things work out.

“We have rested him for the first couple of days, but we are quietly optimistic about him.

“Bryce is a guy who played against Wasps having not played rugby (in pre-season) and he wasn’t too bad in that game.”

On Te’o’s fitness, Solomons said: “Ben has been training regularly with the squad so he is on his way back. He taking full part in sessions now.

“He is fairly close (to being ready for action), so we will see.

“We have still got to select the side but we have got to be sure that he is physically ready to play rugby before we make that selection.

“He is making progress but we will make an assessment before we finalise the team.”

Te’o has scored six tries in 24 outings for Warriors since joining the club from Leinster in 2016 and is in the final year of his contract.

“Ben brings experience as he has played for England and the British and Irish Lions,” Solomons continued.

“He is reasonably physical as well. He is quite a big man.”

Loosehead prop Ethan Waller has also yet to play this term following shoulder surgery but Solomons has been pleased with his progress.

“Ethan has started training, similar to Ben so we will assess whether it is a week too soon and look at him for Exeter,” Solomons said.

“But he is out in full training which is great to see."

Solomons was confident tighthead prop Nick Schonert would pack down against Leicester after recovering from the concussion that ruled him out of the clash with Newcastle.

Hooker Niall Annett also missed the game but Solomons admitted he would be “surprised” if the Irishman tackled Tigers after revealing he was struggling with an ear infection.

With Annett sidelined fit-again Jack Singleton and USA international Joe Taufete’e are set to battle it out for the number two jersey.