Leicester are preparing their big guns for a return to action this weekend in the hope they can get their Premiership campaign back on track.

An under strength Tigers team lost their opening game of the seaosn to the Falcons last weekend and a host of injuries has spark an earlier than expected return for some of their stars.

Austin Healey, Martin Johnson and Martin Corry are all expected to line up on the bench on Saturday when they entertain Wasps at Welford Road. Hooker Dorian West may start if he has recovered from a minor knee problem, while Neil Back would also have been involved had it not been for back trouble.

Lions captain Johnson and company were not expected to feature, probably until the Bath match on September 22, yet Tigers rugby director Dean Richards was left with little option.

New Zealand import Josh Kronfeld heads the casualty list, and his long-awaited Leicester debut will remain on hold for at least another 10 days. The former All Blacks flanker had an ankle operation earlier this week, and Bath's Welford Road visit now appears to be a realistic comeback target.

Elsewhere, hooker Richard Cockerill is recovering rapidly from a virus - he spent last weekend in hospital - while Leon Lloyd, Ollie Smith, Will Johnson and Adam Balding are either sidelined through injury or struggling for full fitness.

Richards, whose Premiership champions are chasing a remarkable 40th successive home league game without defeat on Saturday, will stomach no repeat of the Tigers' display at Newcastle last Sunday, injuries or not.

"The players know that they didn't play well last week," Richards said. "So whatever team we put out against Wasps, then I am looking for an improvement. We have been working hard on our defence in particular, and I am expecting better."