Manu Tuilagi could make his comeback from injury in Leciester's final Anglo-Welsh Cup Pool 4 match away to Wasps next Sunday, according to assistant coach Geordan Murphy.
The holders go into that match joint top with Newcastle after a day when they beat Cardiff Blues 24-12 and the Falcons lost 21-8 away to Bath.
England centre Tuilagi missed the previous week's European Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 after tweaking a calf in training but Murphy said he would be fit for the Wasps game.
He said they would make a couple of changes for a match which will determine whether the Tigers go through to the semifinals, and they will know whether they need a bonus point win because Newcastle play Gloucester at home on Saturday.
Murphy said: "Manu will be back. I don't know if he will feature, we will see what bodies are fit on Monday."