HEAD coach Carl Hogg believes Sam Betty is the right man to wear the number seven jersey while the search continues to sign an openside flanker.
Worcester Warriors were rocked after it was announced Jake Abbott could be ruled out of action for up to six months after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament.
The former Scotland international back rower said Worcester were no closer to drafting in anyone to replace the 25-year-old.
In the meantime, however, Hogg insisted Betty, who has spent most of his three-year career at Sixways operating at blindside, has the ability to move across the back row to fill in for Abbott.
“I think Sam is more than capable to play in that position,” he said. “He is a different type of seven to Jake, but he brings a level of physicality which is outstanding. The challenge for him, though, is to have some detail underpinning that.
“However, there is no doubt that Sam can operate at seven at the top end as well as six, so we are very fortunate with that.”
Hogg added: “At this point in the season it is very difficult to get players who are available at the quality you want and if we can find the right person that has got the right characteristics then we will look to get him involved.
“It is not something where you can just pick up a book and say ‘I want him and I want him’ as it is a case of find out who is available and putting in plenty of research, so our search continues.
“But we have also got Cam Goodhue and Chris Jones who can play in the back row, so we do have enough cover in the short term.”
Meanwhile, Hogg confirmed wing David Lemi and number eight Semisi Taulava are unlikely to return from their shoulder and knee injuries respectively until the new year.