Rugby: Bath lose Dan du Preez for next two league matches as Miles Reid nears return for Gloucester

Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville have resumed parts of training, but Bath have not confirmed when the three backs will return.

Dan du Preez will miss Bath’s next two Premiership matches after suffering a hamstring injury in training before Saturday’s Champions Cup defeat by Montpellier.

The South Africa forward is ruled out of Friday’s trip to Gloucester and the home meeting with his former club Sale Sharks on Saturday 31 October. Bath confirmed the extent of his absence in their latest squad injury update.

There is more encouraging news on Miles Reid, who is expected to be available for the derby at Kingsholm. Bath say the back-rower is nearing completion of his return-to-play protocol following concussion. His availability remains subject to completing that process.

Reid’s return would give Johann van Graan another option while Sam Underhill continues his recovery from biceps surgery. The England flanker is expected to remain out until December.

Bath head back into domestic competition after losing 32-14 to Montpellier. They led 14-10 at half-time through tries from Ollie Lawrence and Arthur Green, but conceded 22 unanswered points after the break.

Bath injury update: three backs resume parts of training

Muir, Arundell and de Glanville are being assessed each week as they work towards a return, according to the club’s update, reported by Planet Rugby.

Muir has been recovering from shoulder surgery, Arundell has had a back problem and de Glanville has been sidelined by a lower-limb injury. Their involvement in parts of training does not yet amount to clearance to play.

Elsewhere, prop Billy Sela is expected back in late November following a foot injury. Jamie Bhatti’s return is scheduled for the new year after forearm surgery.