Harlequins coach John Gallagher has warned his players they cannot hide behind their injury troubles as they seek to get the better of Tetley's Bitter Cup minnows Darlington Mowden Park at The Stoop tomorrow.

On a day that also sees Sale visit Bristol and Newcastle go to Wasps in two all top-flight fifth-round clashes, Gallagher admits he has fitness worries about most of his players.

But that, he insists, should not stop them easily getting the better of the part-timers from the north-east.

Former All Black Gallagher has used a staggering 41 players already this season as his club have battled with injuries in all positions.

Club captain Will Carling made a fleeting appearance during the narrow midweek victory over lowly Bedford and is expected to be fully fit for the Darlington visit.

But Quins' inconsistency is the thing that is mostly troubling Gallagher, who is hoping they can live up to their status and ruthlessly end the amateurs' impressive cup run.

"I've got more players injured than fit, but that doesn't excuse some of our recent performances," said the Quins coach.

"It's frustrating because at times we can be spell-binding. We've showed many glimpses of the attractive and effective game of rugby I know we are capable of playing.

"We need to work on consistent performances. It continues to baffle me that we are clinical one minute and a total shambles the next."

After their 88-0 hammering of Thurrock in the last round, Gallagher's side have certainly developed a taste for killing off the challenge of part-time sides.

But predictably the amiable Kiwi is refusing to take Darlington's visit lightly and after a season of mixed Premiership results believes the cup has taken on added significance with the winner now assured a place in Europe.

We under-performed in Europe but we did learn many lessons from which we can benefit. However, to do that we must get back there next season and winning the cup may be our best chance," he added.

"The Premiership table is still very tight, and I'm not giving up hopes of a top-four finish. But if the injuries continue we will find it difficult."

Sale player-coach Jim Mallinder, meanwhile, would have missed Wednesday's postponed league game against Bristol at the Memorial Ground through injury. But he hopes to be cleared to return there tomorrow to resume at full-back.

There is also an outside chance that England Under-21 captain Alex Sanderson will be fit to resume in the back row, having been sidelined for three weeks with a back injury received in training.

But director of rugby Adrian Hadley will not make a final decision until the morning of the game. He will also want to check on the fitness of flanker Andy Morris.

Hadley's main concern is the change in the game's laws, particularly those relating to the scrum and tackle, that will be introduced for Premiership One clubs this weekend.

One player who will definitely miss the game is wing Matt Moore, who has a groin strain. His place will probably be taken by either Steve Davidson or Barrie-Jon Mather.

Bristol, tipped in some quarters as possible cup winners, are strong favourites to reach the last eight at Sale's expense.

But their form has proved patchy, especially in the Premiership where successive away defeats against London Irish and Gloucester have left them mid-table.

Bristol rugby director Bob Dwyer was critical of his players following the Gloucester setback, claiming that "minds weren't focused" on a match which went the home team's way 29-23.

But Bristol are a different proposition on their own patch, and it will take a
huge effort by Sale to stop a powerful home pack from building solid victory
foundations.

Wasps are another team having a disappointing season in the league and they will be determined to make the most of their shot at European competition next season via the cup unless of course they book their place by triumphing on the continent this time round.

Newcastle are the team Wasps beat in last year's one-sided final, and the Londoners' fly-half Alex King architect of that win eight months ago is relishing a tough challenge against Rob Andrew's Falcons.

"It was great for the team to win at Twickenham, especially after losing there against Saracens the previous season," he said.

"But the Wasps and Newcastle teams have changed a lot since then, so we won't be looking back, just forward to what will be a tough game."