Bath Rugby have been handed a major boost ahead of Friday night's Aviva Premiership opener at Newcastle Falcons with the news that Kyle Eastmond should be fit to play.
The England centre limped off after suffering an ankle injury in Bath's final pre-season friendly against Ospreys last Friday.
However, director of rugby Gary Gold confirmed Eastmond had trained all week and expects him to feature at Kingston Park (7.45pm).
"Kyle seems to be fine," said Gold, who added that Gavin Henson could be in line to make his debut for the club following a rib problem.
"He has trained this week and I think he should be fit for Newcastle.
"Gavin should be available as well and apart from all of our long-term injuries we should have a full squad to choose from."
Bath open their campaign against a Newcastle side chomping at the bit to be back in the Premiership following their relegation in 2011-12.
Former South Africa assistant coach Gold was appointed Newcastle chief for the last five months of that season but his side missed out on survival by a single point.
With Gold taking up a new post at Bath, Falcons lost just once under new boss Dean Richards as they earned promotion at the first attempt last term. Gold now expects them to be a threat in the top flight.
"It's a very tough start but I'm not sure there are any games in the Premiership that won't be this year," said Gold.
"The draw hasn't been the kindest to us, as we've got Leicester and Saracens next, but we've got to play everyone at some stage.
"It's good to have Newcastle back and you just know now they are back in the mix they are going to be up for it. Not many teams will go to Kingston Park and come back with a win this year.
"We've seen with Northampton and Harlequins that it's probably what they needed as a business and a club.
"It was a good exercise for Newcastle not to have the pressure of building a team in the Premiership.
"Dean's done a great job there. He's recruited well and they are going to be a tough test for everyone."
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