JON Callard is banking on the vast experience of new assistant Michael Foley to help lift the growing gloom surrounding Bath's Premier-ship plight.

Wallaby World Cup winner Foley was an interested onlooker from the Loftus Road stands as Sunday's 23-10 defeat at fellow strugglers Wasps' dragged Bath back into the bottom two.

The 50-cap Australian hooker had little input into the side's preparations for that clash, but his coaching skills will get their first test as Bath prepare for a crucial West Country derby at home to second-placed Gloucester on Saturday.

Callard said: "Michael needs to find his feet with us but I have no doubt that he will bring us another dimension.

"It's just a shame that Michael, who is a proven World Cup winner, joins us in this situation. Maybe the players were trying too hard to impress the new coach.

"We will be drawing on all his experiences, because he has been in this situation with Australia and Queensland.''

This weekend's meeting with their old rivals is a must-win for Bath, but with the Cherry and Whites in hot form, following two successive half-century point hauls, the coach knows his team are up against it.

"Gloucester is a big challenge,'' claimed the former England full-back.

"But if you can't get up for a Gloucester-Bath derby in front of a packed house at the Recreation Ground, you have got to ask some questions.''

Bath are confident that skipper Dan Lyle will be back in action despite going off during USA's clash with South Africa last weekend with a cut to his head.

But flanker Gavin Thomas is facing an automatic one-match suspension after picking up his third yellow at Wasps.

The Wales back row was sin-binned by referee David McHugh for tackling Martin Offiah off the ball and awaits to hear which game he will miss.