Bristol Bears injury latest ahead of Worcester…

Bristol Bears injury latest ahead of Worcester Warriors: Chris Vui, Joe Joyce, Nathan Hughes

Pat Lam is hoping star forward Chris Vui will be available to face Worcester Warriors on Saturday after injuring his hand against Wasps.

The powerful lock, who played at blindside flanker in Round One of the Gallagher Premiership with Steven Luatua sidelined with a leg injury, is currently wearing a protective cast.

The Bears director of rugby praised the impact the second row had in the 23-20 defeat to Wasps last weekend as the Samoan captain led the forwards.

Lam said: “I thought Chris was outstanding.

“Chris has taken some real ownership to go to another level.

“He took a knock on his hand but it [the cast] is precautionary at the moment, hopefully we will make a final call later this week.

“Chris hurt his hand at the lineout, he went to jump and Joe Joyce got too tight and he punched him in the face on the way up in the air.

“Joycey has a little bit of a shiner but I am hoping both guys should be alright this week.

“Chris’ hand is getting checked and we are looking at it, but hopefully he will come through.”

Lam confirmed number eight Nathan Hughes [knee], backrower Mitch Eadie [back] and scrum half Andy Uren[foot] have all returned from injury this week to take part in training to ease the train on the injury hit squad.

Lam added: “We have just bumps and niggles from Sunday. Obviously it is a six day turn around so we have a lighter training week.

“We are monitoring a few guys who are just walking through [drills/training] but I should know a bit more tomorrow about who will be fully fit.

“But fingers crossed it is just jumps and bruises and there is nothing major like we have been dealing with before.”