England full back Iain Balshaw is facing a race against time to be fit for Bath's PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP semi-final first-leg against Saracens in April.
Balshaw damaged his shoulder in the 52nd minute of last weekend's quarter-final victory over Montauban at The Recreation Ground.
Scans on the joint have revealed he has a grade 3 injury to his AC joint and a decision will be taken this week whether or not he will undergo an operation.
"Iain saw a specialist in London and the results of the MRI scan revealed that he definitely has a grade 3 AC joint injury," said Bath Rugby's Head of Physical Preparation Chris Mallac.
"One option is to let the injury heal naturally, which will result in Iain being sidelined for six to eight
weeks, but if that doesn't go to plan and he needs an operation after that period, then he has effectively lost one and a half months before surgery.
"The second option is surgery, which would result in Iain being sidelined for three months. The critical
issue is determining whether to operate now or whether to proceed without surgery."
