Fortey is one of only five men to play 200 Premiership games.

Veteran Worcester hooker Chris Fortey says their Boxing Day clash against Northampton and local derby with Gloucester on 2 January are crucial.

The 34-year-old captained Warriors in their 19-7 defeat to Connacht in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Friday.

"We set our targets at the start of the season to get in the top six," Fortey told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"These next two or three games are crucial especially Northampton at home and then Gloucester away."

The Saints are currently third in the Guinness Premiership with Worcester languishing in 10th having only won two games this season.

There may not be a better time to go and win at Gloucester as their confidence could be a bit low Chris Fortey

"We have Northampton at home which is a plus for us. They are a good side and have some consistency but we are playing well at the moment," Fortey added.

"The last two Premiership games we drew them but our performances have not been bad.

"We have been in positions to win those games and we are confident at the moment.

The Warriors have a number of big games coming up, including a clash with Fortey's former club Gloucester.

"There may not be a better time to go and win at Gloucester as their confidence could be a bit low," he said.

"We are taking each game as it comes but if we can get a result this week it gives us confidence to go to Kingsholm."

There will be full commentary on Worcester Warriors against Northampton Saints on Saturday 26 December (kick-off 1615 GMT) on BBC Hereford & Worcester on 104 FM and online.

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