By Steve Cotton

s.cotton@bepp.co.uk

B ath may send Andy Beattie on loan to a National League One club after Friday's EDF Energy Cup pool decider at Cardiff Blues.

The 30-year-old is due to make his comeback from a serious knee injury at the Arms Park after seven months out of action.

But Bath are then without a fixture until November 15, while head coach Steve Meehan is keen for the flanker to maintain momentum and regain match fitness.

Meehan plans to reintroduce Beattie and lock Danny Grewcock against the in-form Welsh region, who have won their last five games, including victories over Leicester, Gloucester and Sale.

And once Friday's test has been negotiated, Meehan will look to find a lower-division club willing to give Beattie some competitive rugby.

"I haven't spoken to them, but I know somebody in the club has spoken to a National One side who said he can play two games but not just one," said Meehan.

"We will introduce him this weekend and then he is certainly keen to play next weekend, somewhere.

"We will try to get a loan agreement for at least one week. He needs some game-time, there is no doubt about that, so we will endeavour to find him at least one week and perhaps two."

Both lock-turned-blindside Stuart Hooper and teenage flanker Josh Ovens have done well in the No 6 shirt during Beattie's absence, while Jonny Fa'amatuainu is another contender for the jersey.

And Beattie accepts he simply needs a run of games to play himself back into form and match fitness now.

"I don't know how long I'm going to get on Friday – I'd be quite happy just getting 40 minutes under my belt," said Beattie.

"If that all goes well then brilliant, but unfortunately there's not a game next week.

"I'm trying to get a run out next week, and whether I go elsewhere I'm not sure at this stage. I'd like to get through Friday, see how the knee responds and see how I go.

"It's hard on other clubs if I just go there for one game, but we will see what happens. If there's no reaction after this weekend then I can think about it.

"For now, I'm just looking forward to waking up stiff and sore on Saturday morning for the first time in a long time!"

Bath will be without England Elite Squad members Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Michael Lipman and Nick Abendanon on Friday.

Meehan said: "The England guys are unavailable to play this weekend as a result of this agreement – and it gives those who we expect to be available for the three Premiership matches in November an opportunity."

"If certain things happen in the England squad and we get one or two of those players back during that period, then so be it," added Meehan.

"But if not, the squad we are working with now is the squad that's going to carry us through November – and that helps us to be settled."