Bath suffered another major injury blow with the news that their American back-row forward Dan Lyle requires shoulder surgery.

Lyle, a former US Eagles captain, will be sidelined for 12 weeks.

The Lyle setback comes barely 48 hours after it was confirmed that his team-mate, England international Iain Balshaw, must undergo a shoulder operation and is also looking at three months of rehabilitation.

Both players will go under the surgeon's knife on Saturday.

Lyle's injury is similar to the one that has destroyed Balshaw's RBS Six Nations Championship hopes this season.

Lyle sustained a grade three separation of his A/C joint during the Zurich Premiership match against Bristol Shoguns in November.

Despite making a brief comeback as a second-half replacement against Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents Montauban three weeks ago, he felt that his shoulder was not 100% right in contact situations.

"After seeing a shoulder specialist, it has been decided that Dan will need surgery. It is likely that he will be out for the next 12 weeks," said Bath coach Michael Foley.

Bath, despite reaching the Parker Pen semi-finals and Powergen Cup quarter-finals, have suffered badly from injuries to key players this term.

But they hope that fly-half Mike Catt can make his first start since late November when Powergen Cup quarter-final opponents Northampton arrive at the Recreation Ground tomorrow.

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