DETERMINED Dean Hammond is refusing to let the frustration of a lack of games get him down as he bids to break into Worcester Warriors’ Gallagher Premiership plans.

An impressive 2017-18 season saw the explosive wing cross the whitewash eight times in 20 matches, earning him a two-year contract in January 2018.

But opportunities have been harder to come by for the 26-year-old this term as he has failed to make a single appearance in the league.

With Kiwi flyer Bryce Heem and Wales ace Josh Adams nailing down spots on the wings and speedster Perry Humphreys often providing cover, Hammond has used the cup competitions to try to win over boss Alan Solomons.

Hammond admitted he had also not been helped by a groin injury that ruled him out for six weeks at the start of the season.

But the South Africa-born back is eager to climb up the pecking order as he prepares for tomorrow’s European Challenge Cup clash with Stade Francais at Sixways (1pm).

“(Josh and Bryce) are quality players so it is not easy having those two players ahead of you,” Hammond said.

“But that’s just the nature of the Premiership. It does get frustrating from time to time. But there is competition in every sport.

“Even if you are playing week in week out and you are starting there is always someone there looking to play as well and it is your responsibility to stay there.

“Likewise if you are pushing for that spot consistently then you have got to have the motivation to get to the top.

“I don’t look at it from a frustration point of view. It does not get me down or affect my performance on the day.

“I am going to play my best every single week and that’s not going to change regardless of who is in front of me.”

Hammond notched his second try of the campaign when he went over in the second half of Warriors’ 20-18 victory at Ospreys last Saturday.

“Tries haven’t come too often this season so I am glad I managed to creep over and get the ball down,” Hammond said.

“It is nice to make a difference to the result at the end of the day. It was a confidence booster.”

Hammond, who joined Warriors in September 2013, said he was “pretty happy” with his performances in his five outings this season but now wanted to play regularly. “Of course I would like to be playing every game if I am fit and ready,” Hammond said.

“But in a sport which is very taxing on your body you have got to be realistic as well.

“I will try to get as much game-time as I can.

“We have built a squad and kept a lot of guys together, especially in the backs.

“Guys have got used to playing with each other so that is quite nice and I have fitted into that mould.

“We just need to pull together as much as we can and results will come.

“I am pretty happy to be around for another year.”