Wasps flanker James Haskell doubtful for Saturday's clash with Toulouse
Tuesday 10 January 2017 15:10, UK
Wasps flanker James Haskell is losing his fitness battle to face Toulouse on Saturday.
The 31-year-old England star is still being assessed by the club's medics and is running out of time to be ready for the European Champions Cup Pool 2 visit of the French side.
Haskell made his first appearance since the second Test of England's summer tour to Australia - after a serious toe injury - in Wasps' 22-16 victory over Leicester on Sunday.
But he lasted just 35 seconds after coming on as a replacement when he appeared to be knocked out after tackling Freddie Burns, although he walked off the pitch.
Haskell must go through the protocols introduced around concussion, a mandatory six-day graduated return, and director of rugby Dai Young admitted he is struggling to be fit.
"He's probably doubtful, he's still with the medics today. I think he'd really have to tick all the boxes so it's unlikely he's going to be fit - although he's not ruled out," Young said.
"We'll have a better picture towards the end of the day but if he isn't quite right then that's it because he hasn't got enough time. He has to tick every box and it would mean waiting until the morning of the game for him to be 100 per cent right.
"We may take a decision a little bit later in the week that it may be unwise for us to keep on waiting.
"The next 48 hours will have a big bearing and if he's looking 100 per cent and passed everything we may continue with the process. If he's not right then it'll be a non-starter anyway."
Wasps are joint top of Pool 2 with Toulouse and Connacht on 13 points with two games left and only the top side going through automatically.
