Pat Lam is set to have new signing Elliott Stooke, wingers Luke Morahan and Ioan Lloyd, and number eight Fitz Harding available for selection for Bristol Bears’ opening game of the European Challenge Cup away at USA Perpignan.
Towering second-row Stooke joined the club a couple of weeks ago on a short-term deal as injury cover for Joe Joyce.
Stooke found himself out of work having completed a run of games for the Barbarians who selected him for the series of exhibition games following Wasps’ collapse into administration earlier this season which saw all the club’s employees made redundant.
Bristol director of rugby Lam confirmed Stooke had been registered for Europe in time for the opening round of the second-tier competition which the Bears won in 2020.
Lam said: "Elliott came in last week and has been fast-tracked through. He had a bit of recovery from his Barbarians time and got to know the boys but he knew a lot of the guys already which is good. He has fitted in really well and is excited. He is looking to be involved in this week."
Elsewhere, winger Morahan - who has been linked with a shock midseason move away from Bristol to join French Top 14 side Bordeaux - looks set to make a return to action having been injured for the Bears’ 26-26 draw with Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership last week.
Lam confirmed he was set to make a call on the three-time Australian international on Wednesday with the team flying out on Friday morning for the game in the evening.
Backrower Harding has successfully passed all the HIA protocols following a blow to the head away at Sale Sharks.
Lam did not volunteer an update on Scottish international number eight Magnus Bradbury who also failed an HIA in the same game.
As previously reported, England international loosehead prop Ellis Genge will be rested for both the Challenge Cup games while international teammate Kyle Sinckler is absent with a leg injury.
The good news is Bristol could be boosted by Welsh magician Ioan Lloyd who has spent most of his stop-start season on the sidelines.
Lam said: "Ioan is back this week and available for selection, he just returned back to training this week which is good.
"He has had a frustrating year, he has had a lot of bouts with sickness, he has had some injuries, so a lot of his non-appearances have been enforced. He has probably been the most affected by illness so we are trying to get him to be more robust and healthier, colds, bugs and the flu seem to follow that guy around."
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