Flood: Could be cited

Tigers' 19-14 victory against Worcester on Friday night was notable for their England flanker Tom Croft making a successful comeback following an eight-month injury absence.

But Leicester will also be sweating on possible disciplinary action surrounding England international fly-half Toby Flood.

Flood, pivotal to Tigers' Heineken Cup quarter-final hopes in key pool appointments with the Ospreys and Toulouse over the next fortnight, could be cited for what appeared to be a dangerous tackle on his Worcester opposite number Andy Goode.

Although Flood escaped any action in the game, the citing officer could take a different view, which might result in Flood facing a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing next week.

Croft, meanwhile, looks set to be named in England's elite player squad on Wednesday following an impressive 50-minute performance in front of watching Red Rose boss Stuart Lancaster.

It was Croft's first appearance since he suffered a neck injury last April and subsequently underwent surgery. He missed England's summer tour of South Africa and their entire autumn Test series that culminated in an imperious win against world champions New Zealand.

"It is good to have those 50 minutes in the bank," Croft said.

"I was hoping to be back around November/December time, and when that didn't happen it was probably the most frustrating time.

"In all honesty, I have thought no further ahead than my first game back. I have now ticked that box and all I can do is play when I get the chance."

Leicester's stay at the Premiership summit is likely to be short-lived, with title rivals Harlequins and Saracens both in action on Sunday.

Victory for Quins at London Welsh would see them reclaim pole position, but if they slip up then Saracens could cash in by beating bottom club Sale Sharks at Vicarage Road.

Quins crushed London Welsh during the Premiership season's opening flurries in September, but the top-flight newcomers have improved considerably since that loss.

"We've taken on board a lot of lessons from our first game against Harlequins," coach Lyn Jones said.

"We have progressed and developed as a side and have made great improvements in our discipline and our kicking game.

"We are aware they are a very confident side, but we are disappointed after last week's defeat against Wasps and are keen to make amends."

Saracens should encounter few problems against Sale, although the Sharks will travel south after giving their relegation fight a boost with victory over Worcester last time out.

"They have quality players all over the pitch - they are a dangerous side," Saracens rugby director Mark McCall said.

"The odd result apart, they have been involved in many close games this season, and we know they will fight for everything on the pitch on Sunday. We have to be ready."

Wasps, meanwhile, can continue their impressive push towards the title play-off places by accounting for Adams Park visitors Bath tomorrow.

Wing Christian Wade returns to the starting XV, along with fly-half Stephen Jones and flanker James Haskell, with Eliot Daly moving to outside centre after outings on the wing and at full-back in Wasps' past two games.

Bath boss Gary Gold has made three changes following last weekend's draw against Exeter. Stuart Hooper and Dominic Day team up in the second-row and full-back Nick Abendanon takes over from Ollie Devoto.

"They (Bath) beat us earlier this season, so they will come up here confident they can get a win," Wasps skipper Hugo Southwell said.

"They are a very strong side defensively, so any chances we get we are going to have to take.

"We've got nine points from our two games over the festive period so far, and we know that another win this weekend would be a huge boost, but we can't expect it to happen. We have got to go out there and really front-up."