Baxter waits for news on Lees

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter today admitted he won’t be rushed into bringing in emergency cover, even though he is yet to hear the full extent of Mitch Lees’ bicep injury.

The Australian-born lock was forced off during the first half of last week’s Aviva Premiership defeat against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens. Lees has since undergone scans this week and – according to Baxter – the initial prognosis does not look promising.

“Mitch is having some scans this week and it is potentially a bad injury. We will know later in the week,” said Baxter.

“We will wait and see the full extent of the injury and the full extent of the rehab time and we will make a call then.” The loss of Lees, alongside fellow lock Damian Welch, is yet another untimely blow for Baxter, who is also missing Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers and Henry Slade to long-term injuries.

That said, Baxter (pictured) feels the Devon club have enough cover and talent in place at this time to maintain their pursuit for honours both in the Premiership and Europe. “We have cover now, Geoff Parling is up and running now, Ollie Atkins is up and running in the Premiership, Jonny Hill has had some A games and done very well, the two A League second rowers played very well against Harlequins, as did Sam Skinner, so we have options,” added Baxter.

“We are not absolutely desperate, but we probably do need to bring a body in as much for training and filling out with that group we have got there now because it is looking a little thin and maybe we are one injury away from being desperate. “I am not rushing around signing anyone that is on the market just for the sake of saying we have a body here because ultimately, what we do takes a while to get used to and we have to make sure we sign the right player that can drop down quite quickly and fit in to what we want to do over the course of the season.”

He added: “There has to be a balance. What we will look at is the players that are here at the club and they will get the first opportunities. It is up to them to take them and if they take them, then they will stay in the team regardless of who we bring on.

“If they don’t, and there is someone else that can come in and improve what we do, then you have to take that. That is the nature of the game and we can’t afford to slip away because we don’t address a potential injury situation. But the right thing to do is to give the guys here that opportunity first and then we will work from there.”