Back-rower Croft returns for the opening Aviva Premiership fixture of the new year after his recovery from a neck injury suffered last season.
He joins fit-again Steve Mafi and Thomas Waldrom in the Tigers back row at Sixways. Rob Hawkins is joined by Logovi’i Mulipola and Martin Castrogiovanni in the front row.
Mathew Tait returns at full-back, and there are starting places for Scott Hamilton, Matt Smith and Dan Bowden in the backline, with Toby Flood and Ben Youngs at half-back.
Warriors expect to welcome their biggest crowd of the season so far for Friday’s fixture as they defend an unbeaten home record strecthing back to September.
Worcester lost 23-24 on the opening day of the season against Bath at Sixways but have been unbeaten on home soil in the eight games in all competitions since then.
Tickets remain on sale from the Warriors box office – phone 01905 454183 during office hours or buy online here.
Friday’s match will be broadcast live by ESPN. Or you can keep in touch with Tigers' official Twitter and Facebook pages, or live scoring on the club website.
Tigers will wear the club's Baltic Blue alternate kit at Sixways.
Leicester Tigers (v Worcester Warriors, Sixways, Friday 8pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Matt Smith
12 Dan Bowden
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Logovi’i Mulipola
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Ed Slater
6 Tom Croft
7 Steve Mafi
8 Thomas Waldrom
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Marcos Ayerza
18 Dan Cole
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Julian Salvi
21 Micky Young
22 Anthony Allen
23 Niall Morris
Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Jon Clarke, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Jonny Arr; 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Euan Murray, 4 James Percival (c), 5 Dean Schofield, 6 Sam Betty, 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Semisi Taulava
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 John Andress, 19 Chris Jones, 20 Neil Best, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Danny Gray, 23 Josh Matavesi
