COVENTRY Rugby captain Jordon Poole faces a race against time to be fit for his side’s final Premiership Rugby Cup pool game against Leicester Tigers.
Premiership giants Leicester visit an almost sold out Butts Park Arena this weekend with both clubs in need of a win to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.
Cov skipper Poole suffered a painful blow to the ribs midway through the first half of his side’s defeat at Northampton Saints last weekend, forcing him off the pitch.
And his prospects of lining up against the Tigers are hanging in the balance.
The 27-year-old scored in the reverse fixture at Welford Road as Cov claimed a famous 33-19 victory back in November.
Should Poole fail in his fitness bid, his place at hooker will likely go to Will Biggs who has scored four tries in in most recent appearances from the bench.
However, with third hooker Suva Ma’asi still sidelined by a knee problem Cov could still dip into the loan market to fill their no.16 shirt for the vital cup clash.
Cov and Leicester sit on 15 points apiece with the Tigers above Alex Rae’s side on point difference.
Northampton need a single point from their trip to Nottingham to top the Pool B standings.
Currently, Gloucester, Sale Sharks and Ealing Trailfinders occupy the three best-placed runner-up positions meaning both Cov and Leicester need to win to have any chance of sealing a last eight berth.
Coventry are next in action against Leicester Tigers on Saturday, February 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
