Summer signing Nick Evans could be in line for a return when Harlequins host London Irish in the EDF Energy Cup on Saturday.

The New Zealand international has been out of action since injuring his knee ligaments on the opening day of the season.

But England wing David Strettle will be missing after consultants decided an operation was necessary to resolve a broken metatarsal in his left foot.

Quins boss Dean Richards said: "The surgeon says it needs to be done.

"Although David is disappointed, he is already setting targets for coming back, even though he doesn't know the outcome of the surgery yet.

" Nick Evans could be back playing again this week, but we've got a host of quality players, and we have exciting youngsters coming through too."

Quins need a bonus try win against Irish if they are to have any chance of making the quarter-finals, following their one-point defeat to the Ospreys three weeks ago.

After another EDF Cup game against Worcester next week, Quins then return to Premiership action for three weeks before turning their attention once again to the Heineken Cup in December.

And they go into their doubleheader with Stade Francias in a strong position for their first quarter-final in 11 years with two wins from two, including last weekend's 42-21 victory over Ulster.

Richards said: "I said last year was too soon for us to be competitive in it. But this year we are competitive and we are putting it in.

"Everyone knows what Stade Francais can offer. They are a quality side and have to be one of the favourites for the Heineken Cup.

"Going over there, we will certainly be the underdogs, and we will need to play for 80 minutes rather than 55 like against Ulster, and 40 the two weeks before.

"But we will go over there in with a shout, and it will give us a great understanding of where we are in European rugby."

Quins recovered from falling behind to an early Ulster try with a Chris Malone penalty, then tries from Jordan Turner-Hall, Tom Williams and Danny Care.

After Williams' second try on the hour, Richards could afford the luxury of keeping the sin-binned Care off and giving some game time to Andy Gomarsall.

He added: "Gommers is still one of the best scrum halves in England, and having had a look at a lot of the other scrum halves, I think he's probably second choice behind Danny Care.

"He knows how to play the game and his skill levels are right up there, and it wouldn't surprise me if England have him in as well."