Barkley, who has switched position from fly-half to inside centre in a bid to claim the England number 12 jersey, was sidelined by a back spasm for the Christmas fixture with Sale Sharks.

Connolly has been encouraged by Barkleys recovery but will wait until the New Year game against Saracens before making a final decision on the the in-form 23-year-old.

We are hopeful about Olly at the moment. He improved and we will just have to see how he trains this week before making a decision, said the Australian.

Fellow England international Mike Tindall is also in Baths treatment room with foot and shoulder injuries which have cast doubt over his RBS 6 Nations participation.