TIGHTHEAD prop Nick Schonert will miss the rest of Worcester Warriors’ season after having an operation on his finger.

The England hopeful was missing from Warriors’ 25-19 Aviva Premiership victory against Bath yesterday.

Warriors were without Schonert and first-choice loosehead Val Rapava Ruskin, who failed to overcome a rib problem.

Schonert will also be unavailable for Warriors' trip to Newcastle Falcons and their final match against Leicester Tigers at Sixways.

“There has been a lot of adversity around Worcester over the last couple of months,” said Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.

“It has thrown a little bit more at us after we lost both our front-line props.

“Nick had an operation on his finger and Val did not pass a fitness test.

“An old campaigner like Donncha O’Callaghan has been really influential in the squad over the week.

“He’s been here so many times before in these big games and to be able to rely on a guy of his stature was brilliant.

“We knew against a quality Bath team we would be up against it. I was very proud of how we stuck in for the full 80 minutes against a quality Bath team.”

Schonert is a cornerstone of Warriors’ scrum and has been hugely influential in the pack over the last three seasons.

And Gold remained upbeat over Schonert’s recovery chances should he be included in England’s squad for their summer tour to Argentina.

“Nick had an operation on Wednesday and unfortunately he tore the ligament out of his finger and it had to be operated on,” explained Gold.

“He’s out for the rest of the season but hopefully in time to make a recovery if he were to be selected to go on the summer camp with England.

“I’ve heard possibilities they may be looking at him. Fitness-wise he’s up and running this week because it’s only his finger and he can’t bind for the next three to four weeks.”

Gold also revealed the England coaches had been keeping a close eye on Ruskin, who will be joining Gloucester in the summer.

“I think they (England) are looking at Val,” said Gold.

“The England coaches have been here to chat to him. They have been looking at him. He’s a powerhouse and England are going to need that in Argentina.”