FULL-back Ben Howard has been ruled out for four weeks with an ankle problem, say Worcester Warriors.

But his comeback could coincide with Nick Schonert’s and Luke Baldwin’s long-awaited returns from injury as they continue their recoveries.

Tighthead prop Schonert has not played since damaging his ankle tendons in Worcester’s 24-10 defeat to Wasps last month.

But Warriors confirmed the South African was due back in the next four weeks while Baldwin could be back a week earlier than that.

The scrum-half has been nursing a bicep injury sustained in Worcester’s pre-season opener against Hartpury in August.

The Sixways side have been boosted by the returns of David Denton and Will Spencer from injury in recent weeks.

And number nine Francois Hougaard (adductor), wing Bryce Heem (quad) and prop Simon Kerrod (adductor) could also be back for Warriors’ next Aviva Premiership clash against Harlequins on Saturday, October 28.

Versatile back Ryan Mills (quad) and Tom Heathcote (concussion) are scheduled to return in three weeks.

Head coach Carl Hogg said: “We have got a clutch of players that are starting to create competition, which is great for us.

“We did have one or two dinks at the start of the season, but some of the players who had longer term injuries are starting to come back into the fold.”