EX-SARACENS youngster Oli Morris is expected to provide “important” midfield cover for Worcester Warriors next season.

Morris has joined Worcester’s senior academy this summer following his departure from the European champions.

The 19-year-old primarily plays at centre but demonstrated his versatility when he made his Sarries debut on the wing in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in January 2018.

Ryan Mills, Francois Venter, Ashley Beck, Ollie Lawrence and Will Butler are set to battle it out for the number 12 and 13 shirts.

But having suffered a series of injuries in midfield during the 2018-19 campaign boss Alan Solomons hinted there was a chance Morris could be in the selection mix too.

“It’s important that we have got back up in those positions," Solomons said.

"It’s absolutely key as we saw last season.”

Morris’ older brother, Dominic, 21, is also a product of Sarries’ academy and has represented England under 20s.

“There is such a proliferation of young players at Saracens and his brother is certainly a good player," Solomons continued.

“Oli is similar in physique and has got abilities, so I am looking forward to seeing him play.

“He will be involved with us from the beginning of pre-season.

“As far as I am concerned, I treat our senior academy players as senior professionals.”

Mills, Venter, Beck, Lawrence and Butler all had spells out through injury last term and none of them were fit for Warriors’ final-day clash with Sarries at Sixways.

With Venter forced to pull out on the eve of the match Ben Te’o and Wynand Olivier had to play the full 80 minutes in their final outing for the club.

“It would have been quite a headache if everyone was fit,” Solomons said.

“But then you can look to rotate.

“It is an attritional position.”

Morris is among five new faces in Warriors’ academy with half-back Gareth Simpson arriving from South Africa after a successful trial.

Full-back Noah Heward and loosehead prop Lewis Holsey, who study at Solihull School, and Worcester Sixth Form College back rower Morgan Monks have graduated from the club’s under 18s.

Solomons said Warriors’ ability to produce top talent made him feel optimistic about the club’s future with Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Butler Joe Morris and Andrew Kitchener all making the step up to the senior squad this summer.

“I feel very positive and one of the reasons for that is our young guys,” Solomons added.

“The academy is absolutely key to our future.

“Kitch is a talented player, Ted has played great rugby and got a cap for England and Ollie had a terrific season until his injury.

“Then we have got guys like Will, who is another terrific player, Beck Cutting and Kai Owen who was in the England side at the World U20 Championships.

“We have also got Justin Clegg, James Scott, Tom Dodd, Nick David and Alex Hearle. Those guys make me very encouraged for the future.”