Mullan faces a shoulder operation

Matt Mullan faces surgery on his troublesome right shoulder

Worcester Warriors have suffered a further injury blow with the news that front-row forward Matt Mullen needs shoulder surgery.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock says Mullan will miss the home match against Saracens, but might play against Brive.

"We might be able to get another game out of Matt and he may feature in the European Challenge Cup," said Ruddock.

"But his injury does require surgical intervention as he has been losing power for some considerable time."

Warriors Academy product Mullan has made 51 senior appearances for the club and has been an almost ever-present in the front row this season with 24 games and one try in the European Challenge Cup.

The 22-year-old was called into the England Saxons squad in January and the former Bromsgrove School pupil has been tipped for international honours in the future by Ruddock.

It's now got to the point where it has significant impact on his ability to prepare for games and perform in games

Mike Ruddock

However, Mullan will now sit out the home clash with Saracens and Ruddock revealed he will go under the knife in the coming weeks for surgery on his right shoulder.

"It's now got to the point where it has significant impact on his ability to prepare for games and perform in games," said Ruddock.

"With that in mind, we have taken the decision to get him operated on, in particular after the European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Brive."

This news is a further blow for the Warriors who are already facing the remainder of the season without three more of their regular first-team forwards.

Props Tevita Taumoepeau and Chris Horsman as well as back row Matt Cox have all been ruled out with injuries

Taumoepeau has had an operation on his shoulder, Horsman is out with a neck injury and Cox suffered a dislocated shoulder in the defeat by Bristol.