WORCESTER Warriors are expected to be without wing Bryce Heem, scrum-half Francois Hougaard and prop Simon Kerrod for the start of their European Challenge Cup campaign.

Gary Gold’s men face Brive on Saturday (3pm) before travelling to Ireland to take on Connacht the following Saturday.

According to the club, the injured trio are out for two weeks, meaning they could be back fit for Warriors’ Aviva Premiership clash against Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday, October 28 (3pm).

Heem has not played since Warriors’ 24-19 defeat at Gloucester due to a quad problem while Hougaard and Kerrod are both recovering from adductor injuries.

Hougaard was carrying the problem when he arrived at Sixways following his release from international duty with South Africa last month.

Kerrod, who joined the club from Jersey Reds this summer, sustained the injury in Worcester’s opening pre-season game against Hartpury in August.