WORCESTER Warriors look set to dip into the transfer market after being hit by another injury set-back at tighthead prop.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons revealed Farai Mudariki’s ankle was “not coming right” and would need to undergo a scan later this week.

The news of his injury issue comes less than a week after it was confirmed star scrummager Nick Schonert would be out for “in excess of three months” due to knee ligament damage.

Should Mudariki be sidelined for a lengthy period, it would leave Solomons with only three specialist tightheads, including youngster Joe Morris, heading into the new Gallagher Premiership season which kicks off next week.

“We have to consider our position there,” said Solomons when asked whether he would be looking to recruit another prop.

“Farai has got to have his ankle scanned because it’s not coming right so we have lost a player there and we have lost Nick.

“We are now down to three and remember it’s Joe’s first year in a professional set-up as he was reading for a degree at Oxford so he wasn’t around (last season).

“Richard (Palframan) has had a series of injuries and went back into the Championship to get some game-time with London Scottish.

“We have to take everything into account and then make a decision accordingly.”

Owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring previously confirmed Warriors had spent the salary cap of £7million for the 2019-20 campaign.

But injury dispensations up to a maximum of £400,000 per season are available to each Premiership club, meaning Worcester can bring in a player to effectively fill Schonert’s boots while he is out.

“The way that the regulations work is that if players are out for a period of in excess of 12 weeks you can replace the player within the (salary cap),” Solomons explained.

“Because you are obviously not using your player the salary has got to be commensurate.”

Asked whether the search had begun, Solomons said: “We have put everything in place.

“Let’s leave it there.

“At the moment that’s all I can say. The matter is under consideration.

“We have taken whatever the steps we need to at this particular point so we will see what happens.”

Mudariki scored his first try for Warriors in the victory over Leicester Tigers in late September but then injured his ankle in training.

The Zimbabwe international has made just four outings for Worcester since his arrival from French side Stado Tarbes Pyreness last summer.

“Farai just rolled his ankle but it doesn’t seem to be coming right so we are going to have it scanned and have a look at it,” Solomons said.

“The scan will take place this week.

It’s frustrating for Farai as he wants to play, but injuries happen. What can you do?”

On Schonert’s injury, Solomons added: “It’s certainly in excess of three months.

“He has a grade two tear of the medial ligament. He is in a brace. There’s nothing we can do.

“It’s most unfortunate.”