England prop Andrew Sheridan will make his comeback on Friday night five months after suffering a World Cup-ending injury in New Zealand.

Sheridan: Ready to face Worcester

Sheridan returns to the Sale Sharks front row for their Aviva Premiership clash against Worcester at Edgeley Park (kick-off 8pm), his first club appearance since Good Friday.

He suffered a shoulder injury during England's opening pool game against Argentina in Dunedin last September, and could take no further part in the tournament.

"The medical staff have done a great job getting him back in shape," Sale head coach Tony Hanks said.

"It is testament to the hard work that Andrew has put in that he is able to return slightly ahead of schedule. He has been buzzing this week."

Sheridan, who will link up with French club Toulon next season, is joined in the Sale line-up by his England colleagues Mark Cueto and Hendre Fourie, while Welsh trio Dwayne Peel, Nick Macleod and Marc Jones also feature, fresh from agreeing new contracts this week.

Victory for Sale would lift them two places into fifth, but they face a Worcester side that have won their last two Premiership games and climbed away from relegation danger.

Hanks added: "During training this week, a step up in intensity among the guys has been evident.

"This game against the Warriors will be a benchmark to see how far we've progressed since our meeting on the opening day of the season (when Worcester won 17-12)."

Warriors head coach Richard Hill hands a Premiership debut to former Cornish Pirates back-row forward Blair Cowan, with England internationals Andy Goode and Shaun Perry teaming up at half-back.

Hill said: "This is a crucial game for both teams as they will want to return to winnings ways in the league, and we know a win would put us close to them in the standings.

"This week, with (defence coach) Phil Larder back, we feel we are back on track with our defence. If we can combine that with the attack of recent weeks, then we should move on another level in terms of our performance.

"The conditions up north could dictate the game. If we get snow and bad conditions under foot, then maybe the attacking rugby will have to take a back seat to the more pragmatic and territorial game.

"If we can reach the level of performance we did against Gloucester last month then there is an opportunity to get a positive result.

"However, Sale are a difficult team, and they are bolstered by the return of some key players."

Premiership leaders Harlequins will be in action on Saturday, hosting London Irish, while Bath entertain relegation favourites Newcastle, Leicester go to Exeter and Northampton visit Gloucester.

And Sunday's game sees a lunchtime appointment at Adams Park for Wasps and Saracens, when the visitors will be minus their sizeable contingent of current England internationals.