Gloucester will still be without Iain Balshaw, Andy Hazell and Anthony Allen when Saracens visit Kingsholm tomorrow – but Peter Buxton could return from an ankle injury, writes Steve Cotton.

Full-back Balshaw was set to make his comeback from a groin problem against Bristol last weekend, but withdraw on the morning of the match – and is still not right.

Flanker Hazell is still battling to overcome a frustrating knee injury which has kept him out of action since early November – and centre Allen is close to playing again after ankle problems but is unlikely to appear this weekend.

Gloucester are third in the Guinness Premiership, eight points ahead of seventh-placed Saracens, and head coach Dean Ryan believes the current set-up Vicarage Road could be the real deal.

He has seen many false dawns at the Watford club – but believes Eddie Jones could finally get things right there.

"There are an evolving, emerging side – but they are side which is heading in the right direction," said Ryan.

"They have had some big results, no more so than beating London Irish last week, so they will be coming here with a bit of confidence.

"There have been a few false dawns with people involved with Saracens, but they seem to have some good young guys playing and the right element of experience at the top end now."