THE boot of former Wales international Gavin Henson will “hurt” an ill-disciplined Worcester Warriors side, warns Sixways boss Gary Gold.

Warriors conceded 16 penalties in their 24-14 defeat against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.

And Gold fears a repeat of poor discipline in Sunday’s home Aviva Premiership relegation scrap against Bristol would be a heavy price pay.

“I don’t want the opposition having the momentum of penalties whether they kick to the corner and we have to defend a drive, or whether they are kicking at goal,” said Gold.

“When the penalty count starts growing it takes the wind out of your sails and we must understand that.

“I don’t think we managed the momentum of the game properly last weekend.

“The consequence of that is if Bristol have a guy like Gavin Henson he will hurt you with his boot.

“He can kick them from the half-way line. We know that and international teams know that.”

Henson, 35, was the man of the match in Bristol’s 12-11 home win against Bath last Sunday as he struck three penalties and a drop goal.

Former England wing Tom Varndell is another influential player for Bristol and grabbed a match-winning hat-trick in their 28-20 triumph over Warriors on Boxing Day.

Gold, however, is keen to focus on Warriors and believes the hosts need to concentrate on the things they do well.

“It’s a big game and the consequences are big,” said Gold.

“It’s another game, though, and I think we have to be careful not to be thrown off course because of the consequences “There are things this team can do really well and there are things we don’t do well.

“We are not playing against a team who are unbeatable and I think it’s important to be ruthless in our decision making and making sure our execution is very good.”