Bath have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Matt Banahan has been sidelined for up to three months with a knee injury.
The wing sustained the blow after coming off the bench in Bath‘s 21-20 defeat to Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop last weekend.
The 29-year-old, who has scored four tries in nine games so far this season, has damaged his posterior cruciate ligament.
Bath’s backline resources will be tested with Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph and George Ford all retained by England this week to face Australia on Saturday.
Full-back Anthony Watson only returned to training this week following a broken jaw suffered during an England camp prior to the autumn internationals.
Bath do have some positive injury news as new signing Robbie Fruean closes in on making his debut for the club after making progress with his hamstring injury.
Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder said: “We’re obviously disappointed that Banners is going to be out for a while. He came on against Quins and felt a pop in the back of his knee but carried on. He’s going to need surgery on it, so he’s probably looking at three months.
“He’s been giving us the go forward and performing really well this season but, fortunately, Robbie Fruean is not too far away so at least we can cover him.”