FOUR Saracens players are battling to prove their fitness for tomorrow's (Saturday's) clash with title-chasing Bath at The Recreation Ground.

Saracens will wait until Saturday morning to announce their side and give those struggling with knocks time to recover.

It is not the ideal preparation for Sarries who are in the hunt for points to secure qualification for European competition next season and against the Allied Dunbar Premiership's in-form side.

It would be a huge boost for Sarries if Ben Johnston, Ryan Constable, Thierry Lacroix and Scott Murray proved their fitness before the trip to second-placed Bath, who need to win to keep their title hopes alive.

During the game against London Irish last Saturday, Saracens' back row was decimated by injuries and at one stage late in the game three scrum-halves were on the field playing different positions.

Johnston, replaced in the 14th minute on Saturday after picking up a shoulder injury, has been working with club physios this week and, like Lacroix, is likely to feature in the last two games, although is doubtful for tomorrow.

Constable is also battling to keep his place after coming off with a dead leg on Saturday, while Murray is trying to shrug off the twisted ankle injury sustained at Bedford.

Team manager Mike Scott is well aware of the game's importance to both clubs, but thinks European qualification would not be a lost cause if fifth-placed Sarries do not get the result they want.

He said: 'Bath are probably the in-form side of the division and the last league game they lost was against us in December, so it's going to be a tough battle.

'If we are missing four or five players on top of the others out, it's not going to be ideal. This isn't the time we need to be struggling with injuries.

'If we lose it doesn't make a lot difference. My understanding is that if we won on Saturday we have an opportunity to finish in the top three. Bristol and Northampton both have tough games to play.

'We need to win the last two games and if results elsewhere go our way, we should be okay.

'There's every opportunity that despite what happens on Saturday, we can finish in the top four. It would be nice to have it all settled by the last game against Bristol.'

After Saturday's game (kick-off 2.15pm), Sarries finish the season with two games at Vicarage Road. New signing Thomas Castaignde will be introduced to the crowd at the Northampton game on Wednesday, May 17 and Sarries finish their campaign against Bristol on Sunday, May 21.