Euan Murray’s hopes of being involved in Scotland’s Six Nations campaign are hanging in the balance.
The veteran Lions prop will be out of action for another month after suffering achilles tendon damage during the autumn Test series.
And it looks highly unlikely the former Glasgow hero will be fit to play before the later stages of the tournament, at the earliest.
Murray has not appeared for Worcester since the November tussles with Japan, South Africa and Australia.
Club director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “I don’t expect to have Euan back for at least four more weeks. He is still being troubled by his Achilles, which had to be stripped out after his last stint with Scotland.
“Euan is still in pain and hasn’t yet been able to run, so it is not a short-term problem.”
Murray would not have been in Scotland caretaker coach Scott Johnson’s plans for the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 2 because his religious beliefs prevent him playing on Sundays.
Even if his recovery is quicker than Ryan expects, he will have little opportunity to prove his match fitness before the tussle with England at Murrayfield the following weekend, or the clash with Italy in Rome on February 22.
Scotland’s other games are at home to France on March 8 and Wales in Cardiff a week later.
* Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell’s RBS 6 Nations hopes are over after knee surgery ruled him out for several months.
Blues rugby director Phil Davies has confirmed the 20-year-old will have an operation to correct the problem suffered in the weekend’s 21-13 victory over the Dragons.
Patchell will also have shoulder surgery while he is already sidelined with the knee trouble.