MIKE Tindall has been given the green light to lead Bath's relegation rescue mission.

Tindall, 23, is ready to defy a painful rib injury and take his place for the clash against Northampton tomorrow (2.15pm) the first of six crucial Premiership matches that will decide the club's fate.

The 15-cap international played a sporadic part in Bath's preparations at a two-day training camp in a Bristol hotel.

But team director Michael Foley believes the Yorkshireman is in good shape to face the Saints in the must-win match labelling the midfield star as one of his on-field generals

"Mike has come back in well this week and he is looking forward to stepping up and being a leader for us,'' said the former Australian international.

"Mike came back off a very physical game against Wales and he had a bruised rib which we don't think has completely dislocated. At this stage he will be available to us.''

Tindall's inclusion is a massive boost to a Bath side already missing the talents of Mike Catt, Matt Perry, Kevin Maggs, Gareth Cooper and Andy Williams.

And Foley is also hoping this week's squad get-together will also have helped give his players a new focus as they battle to beat the drop.

He added: "The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but one of our goals in doing this was to bring the team together and focus on how they conduct themselves as a team.''

Lock Steve Borthwick has endorsed the move and reckons the mini training camp will prove to be a success, saying: "It's been very productive. We've been focussed and have got a lot of work done.''

Borthwick admits the players took the defeat by Saracens two weeks ago badly and are intent on taking out their frustrations on the Saints.

"The boys were very disappointed after the Saracens match, they know they let themselves down,'' said the second row.

"We never want to feel like that after a game again. We set our standards higher than that and we have to get our game right and our focus right.''

Bath lie one point above Leeds and rock-bottom Harlequins and have six games remaining to pull themselves clear.

Borthwick added: "We're not in the relegation positions so, in that respect, it's still in our hands.

"We're realistic about our position but we just have to concentrate on the game this Saturday, rather than looking at the table.''