Bath Rugby are facing a potential second-row crisis ahead of the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final with Stade Francais.
The West Country giants are set to be without talismanic lock Dave Attwood for this weekend's league clash with London Welsh and he will face a fitness race ahead of the European showdown.
Bath are already without Ryan Caldwell for the remainder of the season, while Dominic Day has also picked up an injury.
That leaves club captain Stuart Hooper as the only fully-fit second-row, opening the door to academy lock Will Spencer.
"We are probably going to miss Dave for a week or so, which is a big blow as he has been absolutely outstanding for us this season," said forwards coach Neal Hatley.
"But it gives Will Spencer an opportunity - we've been waiting to give him a run. He's a big kid who hits hard and we are excited about him getting some game time.
"Dom Day has been almost ever present so far and we think he will be OK, and Stuart Hooper is the club captain, so we've got strength in that area while Ryan Caldwell recovers."
But Bath have received better news on two of their overseas stars. Flanker Francois Louw has been passed fit to play this weekend, while fly-half Stephen Donald is set to return after five weeks out.
"We could have potentially played him last week but we thought with the game being on a Friday, it was just a fraction too early," added Hatley.
"We gave him a bit of extra time and he's had two full weeks of training, so we are pleased with where Stephen is."
