Bristol Bears could be without back row forward Fitz Harding for their derby clash against Bath this weekend after he cut his finger while chopping vegetables.
Harding was surprisingly not part of the squad that claimed a 31-19 victory over Wasps last Friday and speaking ahead of Saturday's clash at the Rec, director of rugby Pat Lam has revealed it was down to an unfortunate incident in the kitchen.
The 22-year-old will be assessed over the next couple of days before Friday's team announcement but could miss a second match for the Bears.
"Yeah, Fitzy... it was bizarre," Lam said with a smile. "He was cooking and unfortunately he cut his finger when he was cutting vegetables so that ruled him out for last week. We'll see how he goes (for this week) but it will be two weeks max.
"Fair play, at least he wasn't on Deliveroo or Uber Eats and he was making his own dinner, which is consistent with Fitzy - he's a very independent man."
Harding has been a big success story for the Bears this season and a major reason why Nathan Hughes isn't part of the first-team set-up at present having been loaned out to Bath at the start of the year.
Hughes isn't eligible to face his parent club this weekend but Lam did draw reference to the recall option the Bears have in the loan which could be activated depending on their ever-growing injury list.
Lam added two more to his squad this week with scrum-half Oscar Lennon joining the club from Hartpury for a second time this season having played for the Bears in the Premiership Rugby back in the Autumn, and should operate as back-up to Theo Strang at the Rec, while full-back Rich Lane covers the injury issues in the back three having arrived from Bedford on a one-month deal.
These next few weeks are crucial in keeping the squad together and digging out results - as they did against Wasps - before the cavalry starts to arrive, as Harry Randall and Kyle Sinckler will be back from England duty upon conclusion of the Six Nations on March 19, while Andy Uren should be fit around early April, when the Champions Cup returns.
The Bears are also still without Charles Piutau (Achilles), Luke Morahan (hamstring) and Tom Whitley (knee, out for the season)
Tighthead has become the new problem position for the Bears with Sinckler's international absence, John Afoa out with a leg strain and Max Lahiff suffering a calf tear last Friday, meaning Jake Armstrong could start on Saturday having played for 49 minutes against Wasps.
The 27-year-old has returned after a short spell at Edinburgh where he earned valuable minutes against Munster and Leinster in the Pro 12, aiding his transition into the middle of a Premiership season.
"We had to recall Jake back from Edinburgh," Lam added. "The reason Jake, Nathan and these forwards are out playing at a good level is to keep them topped up. Jake got good gametime which was great and he really enjoyed it.
"He came off the bench and got just under half the game against Wasps so now that's topped him up, compared to not playing at all or playing at a lower level."
