Plymouth Albion have been handed a major boost ahead of their big home match against title-favourites Worcester Warriors, with news that fly-half Alex Davies will be able to feature.

Liverpool-born Davies was forced to miss last week's 51-3 opening season defeat at Bedford Blues after international clearance he needed, after spending the summer playing in New Zealand, failed to arrive in time for the match.

It meant Albion had to play Bedford without a recognised number 10 as fellow fly-half Kieran Hallett was out with an infected foot.

Albion had been worried that they might face a similar scenario tomorrow against star-studded Worcester at Brickfields (3pm).

But the club finally received the paperwork they needed yesterday to allow Davies to play tomorrow.

Davies will line-up at number 10, with youngster Mark Lee reverting to his familiar full-back position and Tongan Sione Tu'ipulotu returning to his favoured number 12 shirt.

"We are pleased to have Alex back in the fold," said chairman of rugby Graham Dawe.

"He is fit and raring to go.

"I thought Mark Lee did particularly well last week. He had one opportunity to kick at goal and he nailed a great penalty.

"But Alex will start as our number one kicker tomorrow and hopefully he can organise our attack against a Worcester side who are going to be pretty ferocious defensively.

"It also means Mark and Sione can play in what they regard as their first-choice positions."

To make room for Davies, Fionn McLoughlin drops out of the side.

The only other change Albion make to the team who lost heavily last weekend is in the pack where Dan Collier comes in for Tyler Hotson, who drops to the bench.

It will be only Collier's second league start for Albion, who are still unable to call on Hallett, Keni Fisilau, Martin Rice and David Morton.

"Dan has made a lot of progress over the last 12 months," said Dawe. "Hopefully, he can be a big ball carrier for us tomorrow."

Tomorrow will be Albion's first home game of the season and Dawe hopes his team can give their supporters something to cheer about.

The club are expecting a large crowd for the fixture, with Worcester set to include the likes of international stars Andy Goode, Pat Sanderson and Neil Best in their squad.

Dawe, who celebrates his 51st birthday tomorrow, know his team are going to need all the support they can get as they try to pull off a major shock.

But the Albion boss is more than aware that it is up to his players to give the fans something to cheer about.

"We are hoping we can get a lot of support behind the team at Brickfields on Saturday," said Dawe, who will be up against his former Bath and England team-mate Richard Hill, who coaches Worcester.

"But then it is up to the team to get the vocal backing."

Dawe knows Worcester, relegated from the Premiership in May, are expected to bring a large following to Brickfields.

But Albion remain hopeful their supporters will not be out-numbered.

"It would be good to see a large crowd supporting us in our first home game of the season," said Dawe.

"Worcester have a lot of well known international players and hopefully people will want to come down and watch rugby and Plymouth Albion.

"I am sure Worcester will bring a large following. They have been one of the best supported clubs in the Premiership over the last few years.

"And people don't stop supporting a team they have followed for a number of years.

"I am sure a large percentage of their regulars are going to travel to Plymouth on Saturday and get behind their team. But, hopefully, it will be our supporters who are the most vocal."

Albion: Lee, Mercer, Mitchell, Tu'ipulotu, Coleman, Davies, Cushion, Porter, O'Meara, Hopkins, Skelding, Collier, Stephen, Watts-Jones, Carpenter. Replacements (from): Kessell, Johns, McLoughlin, Manton, Evans, Hotson, Hocking, Sprangle.