If Stade Francais are to qualify from Pool 3 then they will have to do it without the services of prop Sylvain Marconnet.
Marconnet has been sidelined since July with a injury to his left ankle that required surgery and despite coming through a number of training sessions over Christmas, it is unlikely he will play in the next few weeks - ruling him out of the remaining Pool matches against Bristol and Harlequins.
The absense of the France international prop to the Stade lineup is a blow to his side as they battle to progress from Pool 3 of the Heineken Cup.
They currently lie in third place in the table, three points behind leaders Bristol Rugby and second placed Cardiff Blues.
The Round 5 battle with Bristol at Stade Jean-Bouin will determine their progression, with a defeat almost certainly eliminating them from the competition.
