UNLUCKY Alex Crockett plans to press his claims for a regular spot in midfield by helping Bath complete part two of an Italian demolition job tomorrow (2.15pm).

The second leg of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup first round tie against L'Aquila may be a formality with Bath leading 75-11 from last weekend's first leg but it hands Swindon-born centre Crockett the chance to rebuild a season that has been overshadowed by injury.

Expected to play a major role in Bath's league campaign in the absence of the club's World Cup stars, the 22-year-old instead featured just twice in that six-week period, including a try-scoring substitute appearance in the 47-3 home win over Saracens.

A troublesome knee injury left him a frustrated figure on the sidelines and, with the return of Bath's big names, his route to a first-team place seems even more congested.

But Crockett started on the comeback trail in Italy last Saturday and is keen to make further progress tomorrow when he is expected to play at least 40 minutes.

"It's been a while and I felt a little bit sore and off the pace, but it was good to be back,'' said the centre of his return.

"As a rugby player, you have to expect you are going to get injuries.

"But the timing was frustrating, more than anything.

"With the World Cup on, I had looked forward to getting some game time and to take my chances while the internationals were away.

"Unfortunately, I only played two or three games.

"I took a big impact tackle on the knee and it tore the ligaments and I needed keyhole surgery.

"It was shocking timing really.''

L'Aquila may be well low-key opponents, but Crockett insists tomorrow's clash is still a key one for him and his side.

"Competition is back now so my job has gone from taking my chance to putting as much pressure on whoever is playing as possible and hopefully take my chance again,'' he said.

"Without being disrespectful, these games are giving me the chance to get my strength and confidence back.''

He added: "We had a poor second-half out there, so we have to work on that, but we can't go out there with the frame of mind that we are going to play sevens or something like that.

"We have got a game plan and structure that we have used all year.

"We have Newcastle in the league next week, so we cannot get into any bad habits.''

"We have effectively set the standard in the league so far this season but, with all the players back, people will be thinking that teams are going to start catching us up.

"But we are more eager than ever to prove to them that we really want to win and have a really good team spirit.