Exeter Chiefs skipper Jack Yeandle will be staying for a 14th season at Sandy Park after Rob Baxter said the club stalwart has agreed to a new contract.
Winger Olly Woodburn and tighthead Ehren Painter are the latest players to be sidelined with long-term issues, while discussions over the next step for England pick Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are ongoing.
Wales international Dafydd Jenkins is fit and available for selection and could make his seasonal bow for Exeter at home to Toulouse in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday.
Henry Slade proved his fitness ahead of England’s Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand but could not prevent Exeter from suffering a 36-19 Gallagher Premiership loss to Harlequins.
Round six of the Gallagher Premiership promises to deliver another thrilling weekend of action, with teams looking to solidify their positions ahead of a break before the Test rugby returns in November.
The Devon-based club, who have been part of the English top flight since 2010, have expressed alarm that steps could be taken to prevent fans from different clubs mingling freely at matches, including at Sandy Park.
Gabi Ibitoye scored an eight-minute try hat-trick as Bristol produced a stunning fightback to maintain their proud unbeaten Premiership away record stretching back to last November following a 40-35 win at Exeter.
Being able to play in a variety of positions has always been a valuable commodity for a player to have but even more so now that Premiership squads have been streamlined to the max.
Saints appeared to be cruising at 30-10, but the England winger dotted down two converted tries in eight minutes to set up a tense finale.