Dan du Preez will miss Bath's next two Premiership matches after sustaining a hamstring injury in training ahead of their Champions Cup loss to Montpellier. The back-rower, who joined from Sale Sharks in the off-season, has made two appearances for the club since his arrival, scoring twice.
Bath's back-row stocks are under further pressure with Sam Underhill unavailable until December following bicep surgery and Billy Sela sidelined until late November with a foot injury. Jamie Bhatti, another off-season recruit, is not expected back until the New Year after forearm surgery.
Some relief comes through Miles Reid, who has cleared his return-to-play protocols and is available for Saturday's West Country derby against Gloucester — Bath's next fixture after their 71-48 defeat to Northampton before the European block.
England trio Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville have resumed elements of training but remain on week-by-week assessments. Muir has been out since shoulder surgery last season, Arundell has been managing a back issue, and de Glanville missed both the Northampton and Montpellier fixtures with a lower limb concern. Thompson Cowan is targeting a return during November's Premiership Rugby Cup block.
Bath currently sit fifth in the Premiership table on points difference, with a win over Gloucester sufficient to move them to the top.