WORCESTER Warriors have sent crocked centre Ryan Mills to see a specialist amid growing concerns over his injured ankle.

Director of rugby Alan Solomons said Mills was in “obvious pain” when he hobbled in Worcester’s 34-5 defeat to Leicester Tigers earlier this month.

Warriors’ chief reckoned he had sustained a “high ankle sprain”, which is also known as a syndesmotic injury.

But Solomons said he would know more about the extent of the problem after the 25-year-old had seen an ankle specialist.

“We have got to wait and see,” said Solomons.

“He has got to see the specialist and then we will get a better idea of (his injury).

“I am concerned.

“Ryan is a tough character but he was in obvious pain and it looks like a high ankle sprain.”

Mills has been an influential figure in midfield for Warriors since returning from a quad injury in November.

But Worcester now face the prospect of being without the versatile back for their trip to Sale Sharks next Saturday (3pm).

Scrum-half Luke Baldwin has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage against Leicester.

But number nine Francois Hougaard is “on the mend” and Solomons is also hopeful flanker Sam Lewis (hamstring) will be back fit in time to tackle Sale.

“We are nurturing Sam along,” Solomons said.

“He should be fine by the time we get to the Sale match.”

Warriors moved 16 points clear of the drop zone following a 6-5 win at Exeter Chiefs and 25-15 triumph over local rivals Gloucester.

But the gap between themselves and bottom club London Irish has been cut to 12 points after losing 22-9 to their relegation rivals at the Madejski Stadium before slumping to defeat against Leicester.

“We would have hoped to have beaten London Irish which we didn’t,” Solomons said.

“But we at least got eight points from the block of four games which is a positive.”

On Worcester’s to eighth-placed Sale, the 67-year-old added: “It is going to be a massive challenge.

“Sale are playing superb rugby and have got a really good side.

“They have strengths across the park so it will be a tough game.”