BATH are awaiting the medical verdict on Matt Garvey's ankle to see if the back rower will be available for the final weeks of the season.

Flanker Garvey went over on his ankle after a lineout during Sunday's Amlin Challenge Cup semi final victory at Wasps with the club hoping his campaign hasn't been brought to an abrupt end by the blow.

Bath have seen Carl Fearns return in recent weeks while South African international Francois Louw is also nearing a comeback but first-team coach Toby Booth admitted the loss of Garvey, 26, was a setback ahead of Friday's Aviva Premiership home appointment with second-placed Northampton.

“Garvs is not in a great shape. He’s with the consultants to see the extent of the damage but it’s not going to be short term I don’t think,'' said Booth.

“He came down poorly at a lineout and rolled his ankle. He’s a big guy and when you come down from a height you’re always going to take a little bit of damage.

“He’s still on crutches and in a boot but you’ve got to wait for the swelling to go down and the consultants to have a look. We don’t know if it’s his season over.''

Garvey has played in all but two of Bath's Premiership fixtures this season since moving from London Irish last summer and Booth added: "It’s bitterly disappointing because he was exceptional on Sunday and has been one of our leading players throughout the year.

“We’re disappointed for him but we are a tight squad and Carl Fearns has come back from injury great and Flouw is pretty much where he needs to be. He won’t make it this week but will be there soon after.”

Bath will also be without Semesa Rokoduguni for Friday's match as he plays in the Army v Navy game at Twickenham on Saturday.

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