Harlequins coach Andy Keast is confident his side can overcome the absence of British Lions and England prop Jason Leonard and beat Bristol in tomorrow's Allied Dunbar Premiership match at The Stoop.
Leonard has taken a rest over the holiday period after suffering from `burn-out' due to five months of non-stop league and Test action.
"If we had needed Jason he would have volunteered to play," said Keast. "But he is shattered and needs further rest."
Harlequins have included 28-year-old prop and former Oldham Athletic FC defender Alan Yates in their squad and he is likely to figure at some stage with Harlequins missing five front-row players.
Harlequins are fourth in the table, a position they have become used to in recent seasons, while Bristol, who today transfer-listed six squad members, are bottom.
Bristol have won just once this season and scored only 100 points in eight matches.
They will show several changes from the side beaten heavily by Newcastle last Saturday, with Ireland internationals Kevin Maggs (dislocated finger) and David Corkery (strained hamstring) ruled out, while captain Robert Jones is named on the bench.
Simon Martin joins Paul Hull in the centre, Steve Pearce comes into the back row and New Zealander Chad Eagle takes over from Phil Adams in the second row.
A Paul Sampson try gave Wasps only their second win of the season when they beat Richmond 22-18 last night and started to fulfil Nigel Melville's New Year resolution of a respectable league finish.
