Struggling Harlequins begin to turn a corner with injured stars

Harlequins boss Jason Gilmore is set to get a much-needed boost after passing England fly-half Marcus Smith fit for Sunday afternoon’s trip to Sale Sharks.

Quins sit bottom of the Gallagher PREM, still seeking their first point of the season after defeats to Bath and Gloucester, who thrashed them 48-0, the club’s heaviest league defeat in 26 years.

But under-fire Gilmore will have Smith available for the first time since he damaged a finger in a friendly against Edinburgh, while England loosehead Fin Baxter is still being held back following a long-term foot injury.

Baxter hasn’t played since the Champions Cup win over Bayonne in December because of foot problems and is likely to return for the Challenge Cup visit of Vannes on Sunday week.

Gilmore also says Samoan tighthead Titi Lamositele, who has been out of action for 11 months since damaging a foot in a defeat to Gloucester, is nearing a return to action.

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Gallagher Premiership

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07:00

11 Oct 26

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“Smithy’s our quarterback. He’s been back on the training pitch this week, so as long as he can train properly and get through his contact – and, to return to play, there are levels that he needs to get through – then he’ll be ready to go. So he’s on track at the moment.

“He is really keen and has obviously been disappointed to cop that injury against Edinburgh, to miss the start of the competition, and he’s been brilliant behind the scenes, and he’s been out on the pitch this week training. So he’s really excited to get back out there.

“Fin’s trained with the boys today. So I think this week will be a stretch, but hopefully next week he’ll be back on deck. So it’d be great to get those two back.

“Hopefully Titi Lamositele isn’t too far away. They’re two pretty important people in our front row for us this year. So we’re not too far away from getting the full squad back,” said Gilmore.