REDFORD Pennycook could make a shock return to Bristol in the coming days after the club tried to beat the Championship transfer deadline to bring the flanker home.

Days after centre Luke Eves rejoined his home city club from Newcastle, Pennycook is set to make the same return journey, provided Bristol were able to confirm his registration papers in time.

The deadline for Championship clubs signing players for the remainder of the season was yesterday – but the relevant registration documents had to be lodged with the Rugby Football Union by Thursday evening.

Provided those details were ratified, the 26-year-old Bristolian's return should be made public in the next few days.

Even as of last night, it is understood the finer points of the deal were still to be confirmed, although Pennycook – who recently became a father for the first time – is thought to be eager to return to Bristol for personal reasons.

Pennycook, pictured, left Bristol in the summer of 2010 and has made ten appearances for Newcastle this season, including scoring their only try in last weekend's 21-13 Amlin Challenge Cup defeat at Lyon.

Head coach Liam Middleton has already signed nine players since the season began – with Eves, Henry Vanderglas, Mark Lilley and Matthew Jones all joining with the last fortnight. But despite the influx of players, whose number also include Will Helu, Ruki Tipuna, Matty James, Jason Harris-Wright and Glen Townson, Middleton still believes Cornish Pirates are the best side in the Championship.

When asked about his flurry of new recruits ahead of the play-offs, Middleton said: "It gives us a chance. We started the season with pretty humble expectations and those have grown a little bit.

"But, if I'm honest, I still don't consider ourselves to be the best team in this league – I still think Cornish Pirates are the most all-round team with the best individuals and the best kind of rugby.

"Although we've had an influx of players and they have strengthened our position, I still think we've got a long way to go.

"And a lot of players have been moving from Premiership clubs to the Championship to pick up game-time, so I expect everyone will be stronger."

Bristol host Rotherham at the Memorial Stadium tomorrow, three months after losing 44-6 to the Titans in Yorkshire.

And Middleton, who recalls George Watkins, Ross Johnston, Jason Hobson and Roy Winters to the side beaten 23-17 at London Welsh two weeks ago, said: "It's a must-win game.

"There hasn't been a point this season where we've said any game is must-win – but I feel this is a must-win game.

"They're a top-eight team, they'll be in the play-offs and the chances are we'll draw them again at some point – and we can't afford to go into that with two losses against them. We view it as a must-win game.

"We've made reference to the game up there this week, because it was an uncomfortable situation and no one was pleased about it. I suppose there's a case that we want to put something right there."

Bristol: J Goodridge; G Watkins, F Otto, W Helu, J Tovey; T Roberts, R Tipuna; M Irish, R Johnston, J Hobson, G Townson, R Winters, J Ovens, J Merriman (capt), M Mama. Reps: R Lawrence, D Crompton, W Thompson, M Sambucetti, H Vanderglas, T Slater, M James.

Rotherham: T Foden; D McCall, E Brierley, P Homan, E Tellwright; C Hodgson, D Farnham; B Harris, T Stagg, B Hooper, N Patrick, A Griffiths, B Maddison, C Kirwan, S Dickinson (capt). Reps: D Baines, J Kilbane, R O'Donnell, T Vaioleti, S Dougall, P Nonu, G Law.