BRISTOL look set to include experienced prop Darren Crompton for the first time this season when they host Toulon in the European Challenge Cup on Friday, writes Matt Cain.

The 36-year-old, who has been a cornerstone of the Bristol pack for the last four years, damaged ankle ligaments and underwent an operation after the pre-season friendly at Exeter Chiefs.

Bristol will also have wing Tom Arscott available despite the flier taking a nasty looking knock to his neck in the 33-15 defeat to Montpellier last Friday.

But England international Crompton returned to training yesterday and could win his first appearance of 2008-09 later this week as Bristol look to claim their maiden win of the campaign.

Head coach Richard Hill said: "It looks likely Darren will be in the 22 for this Friday's match. That's good news.

"Darren is a good senior player. We have missed his presence on the field so far this season. It will be like having a new player."

Hill added: "He is our heaviest prop and helps bulk the scrum. Darren also knows how to get on the right side of referees. He talks to them and asks them what they want."

Bristol have been penalised many times in the scrum this season for boring – (when the tighthead prop pushes illegally and at an angle against the opposition hooker). Hill hopes Crompton's return will end this problem area for Bristol.

"Our scrum is not as good as it was last season. Hopefully having Darren back will make a difference," added the Bristol boss.

"Darren and (hooker) Mark Regan have a good impact on the scrum. Hopefully we can improve on that area.

"But we are not the only club suffering. Referees have been blowing up quite a bit in that area and very few scrums have been won cleanly."

Bristol have also sent full-back Luke Arscott (snapped tendon in a finger) and wing Anthony Elliott (knee) for operations.

Arscott is expected to be sidelined until the Guinness Premiership clash with Northampton at the Memorial Stadium on November 16.

England Sevens international Elliott had surgery three weeks ago and could be in contention to make his first appearance of the season in the EDF Energy Cup tie at Llanelli Scarletts on Friday week.

Meanwhile, Bristol will be back in their blue and white hoops for Friday's clash with Toulon. The Frenchmen will be wearing red.

Bristol were told by European Rugby Cup limited – the governing body in charge of the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup – to play in a third kit of black and thin white hoops in Montpellier.

The club have no plans to put these shirts on sale and are likely to wear them again only in the away clash with Toulon in January.