Duncan Bell will pull his boots on for the third time in eight days when Harlequins visit Bath today – and insists he would not have it any other way.

The 34-year-old, who played for 73 minutes at Sale last Friday and the full 80 against Wasps on Wednesday, is ready for another physical encounter at the Recreation Ground this afternoon.

Playing at tighthead prop, the most demanding of all the positions on the field, Bell could be forgiven for hoping for a breather this weekend.

But with Matt Stevens having been banned earlier this year, Bell is the only senior tighthead in Bath's squad – and is one of the first names on Steve Meehan's team-sheet as the business end of the season gets under way.

Victory in today's third-versus-first Guinness Premiership clash will take Bath to the verge of booking their place in the play-offs – and Bell is ready for battle after two very relaxed days since the 22-14 win over Wasps.

"I don't remember the last time I played three games in a week – it was certainly a while ago," said Bell. "I don't normally play 80 minutes – but I played 70-75 against Sale and then 80 on Wednesday against Wasps. It has been pretty hectic, so I'm pretty tired, but I'm not too feeling bad.

"I doubt I'll get a lazy day on Sunday either, because you play rugby all day on Saturday and your kids don't see you, so on the Sunday they attack you!

"I don't expect much of a lie-in, because I expect to get jumped on by my three kids – but apart from getting beaten up by them, it will be pretty lazy. There's nothing in my diary, put it that way."

Bell is one of five Bath players – the others being Nick Abendanon, Scott Bemand, Justin Harrison and Jonny Fa'amatuainu – who will start for the third time in eight days this afternoon.

And he says the focus on this block of three Premiership matches has been so intense that next weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Leicester has been completely put out of his mind.

"I didn't even know it was the Heineken Cup next week! Honestly, we've been that focused on these three games this week that anything else past that has not crossed our minds," he said.

"I genuinely didn't know it was the Heineken Cup quarter-final next week! If you look too far ahead, the game you are meant to be playing has gone.

"The Premiership is the current focus, and from a neutral perspective, it's shaping up to be a cracking end to the season – and you want to be involved in every game at this stage. There are six clubs who can still win the league and the next three games are all finals for us.

"This is the first step of three and we need a massive performance and to get the win. If we don't, it's four more points we have to make up from somewhere to try to get a home semi-final."

Bell was one of the first players on the scene when captain Michael Lipman suffered a neck injury – which turned out to be a strained ligament rather than anything more serious – against Wasps three days ago.

And he says the whole squad has been lifted by the 29-year-old's reappearance at the club for yesterday's team run.

"It was shocking to see what happened on Wednesday, but fortunately Lippy is all right – and all the boys are taking the Mickey out of him, saying he's got a 'hurty neck'," said Bell.

"It's great to see he's not as bad as we first thought – and he's back in changing room cracking jokes with the boys. He's a big character in the squad and having him around is a big lift.

"What happened on Wednesday wasn't nice, but we're all glad he's up and about and back to his normal teeth and hair self!"

Bath: N Abendanon; J Maddock, A Crockett (capt), S Hape, M Banahan; B James, S Bemand; D Barnes, L Mears, D Bell, J Harrison, S Hooper, A Beattie, J Scaysbrook, J Fa'amatuainu. Reps: R Hawkins, A Jarvis, P Short, C Goodman, M Baxter, S Berne, A Higgins.

Harlequins: M Brown; D Strettle, G Tiesi, D Barry, U Monye; C Malone, D Care; C Jones, G Botha, M Ross, J Percival, G Robson, C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), N Easter. Reps: T Fuga, M Lambert, J Evans, T Guest, A Gomarsall, W Luveniyali, T Williams.