Nathan Brew will not play again this season – but Bristol chief executive Steve Gorvett believes the centre's Memorial Stadium career may not yet be over.

Brew has a season-ending thumb ligament injury that requires surgery and will miss the remaining three matches this term, starting with this afternoon's Guinness Premiership clash at London Irish (3pm).

Doubts remain whether the former Wales three-quarter will stay at the club after he was signed on a short-term contract in December when the BRIS Trust agreed to pay all of his wages.

The Trust, who have been paying Brew's wages on a monthly basis, do not have the necessary funds to continue financing for the 26-year-old once his deal comes to an end in May.

"Nathan signed until the end of the season. He is one of the players we are talking to about next season," said Gorvett.

"It's not resolved as yet. But he has done very well after coming into the squad and has proved to be quite versatile. He has done a good job.

"We are looking at him and a number of other people for the roles that are available for next season.

"There is no definite number for the squad but we are not far away from completing it. Recruitment is going very well and we only have a few spaces left."

Bristol, meanwhile, are also looking for an Academy manager and coach for next season.

Former Saracens and Leicester boss Tony Russ will leave the club this summer after his temporary contract comes to an end.

The club, in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union, are looking for a permanent appointment to replace Geoff Moon, who left Bristol in November to return home to New Zealand.

Gorvett added: "Tony was only holding the fort. It was a temporary, short-term contract. We now need someone full-time and we are going to advertise.

"Tony has done a good job for us. Geoff Moon effectively left the role early. He was supposed to be leaving at the end of the season. We are now looking for someone to start on July 1."

Gorvett believes the Bristol Academy position will be one of the club's most important appointments.

Bristol, who include three home grown players – centre Luke Eves, flanker Redford Pennycook and prop Wayne Thompson – in their squad to face London Irish, remain determined to produce their own players on a more regular basis.

Gorvett added: "We see the Academy role as an important part of the club going forward. The ideal way to get players is through your academy.

"We have got some guys coming through at the moment but we want a steady stream coming through to the first team squad."

Bristol have dropped top try scorer David Lemi for this afternoon's clash at London Irish.

Lemi is the second best finisher this season in the Premiership, having scored three fewer than Bath flier Joe Maddock (11), and head coach Paul Hull has opted to start with Lee Robinson and Tom Arscott on the wings. Luke Arscott is at full-back.

Centre Neil Brew is sidelined with a hamstring problem so Luke Eves, fresh from re-signing for the club this week, comes into the side, while Shaun Perry also starts from the bench after taking a knock to the head in the 37-18 victory against Worcester.

Hull will come up against two of his former Bristol Under-21s after the Exiles named prop Richard Skuse and scrum-half Paul Hodgson in their side.

London Irish: D Armitage; A Thompstone, E Seveali'i, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau; M Catt (capt), P Hodgson; C Dermody, D Paice, R Skuse, N Kennedy, J Hudson, D Danaher, S Armitage, C Hala'Ufia. Reps: T Lea'aetoa, D Coetzee, K Roche, R Thorpe, P Hewat, P Richards, T Homer.

Bristol: L Arscott; L Robinson, L Eves, J Fatialofa, T Arscott; E Barnes, H Thomas; M Irish, S Linklater, D Crompton, M Sambucetti, R Sidoli, R Pennycook, J El Abd (capt), D Ward-Smith. Reps: O Hayes, W Thompson, R Winters, A To'oala, S Perry, G Barden, D Lemi.