Former England full-back Matt Perry looks likely to miss Bath's crunch Zurich Premiership derby with Bristol at Ashton Gate on Sunday.

Perry suffered a hamstring injury during the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final win over Saracens last weekend, and is rated extremely doubtful.

Bath could have Mike Catt available again following his latest hamstring injury recurrence, while back-row forward Dan Lyle is poised for a first appearance since mid-January.

Lyle underwent shoulder surgery at the same time as his Bath teammate Iain Balshaw, but both players are ready to feature in Sunday's clash, with Balshaw set to replace Perry in the No 15 jersey.

The six-times English champions are just one point off bottom place a position currently occupied by London Irish with only two league games remaining.

Their final Premiership fixture is at home against Newcastle on Saturday week, but victory over Bristol could put Bath safe and consign Shoguns to a May 10 relegation decider with Irish.

The match is now a 20,693 sell-out the biggest Premiership gate ever.