Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam says he will likely have to bring in players this week to solve the injury crisis in the second row.

Bristol currently have eight second rows injured follow two players going down in the Bears’ 22-29 defeat to Wasps at Ashton Gate on Friday night.

After being drafted late into the Bears starting XV John Hawkins’ Premiership debut lasted just five minutes.

John Hawkins of Bristol Bears looks dejected after coming off injured early into his Premiership debut after Wasps win 22-29

To make matters worse his replacement Nick Haining then left the field after 18 minutes for a HIA and did not return, forcing Jordan Crane to move into the second row with Jack Lam coming in at number eight.

That caused considerable disruption both in the line out and in the maul defence as the pack was reshuffled.

Pat Lam explained: “Ed Holmes had trained all week and then in the last team run he rolled his ankle. It was as crazy as that, so he was ruled out.

“Joe Batley had to get called back from Hartpury, Nick Haining came onto the bench and John Hawkins went from the bench to the starting side.

Aly Muldowney of Bristol Bears is tackled by Mitch Lees of Exeter Chiefs

“So to lose Hawkins in the first five minutes [to an elbow injury] was crazy.

“We lost Aly Muldowney in the 80th minute against Exeter wit his knee, and he is out for eight weeks.

“Obviously Joe Joyce (ankle) got injured before that as well, Joe Latta (eye) has been out for a long time, Sam Jeffries (back) is out as well, James Dun (knee) is out.

“We were looking okay with Chris Vui, Holmes, Hawkins and with Batley getting back up to speed but in the space of 24 hours two of them are gone.

“I thought Jordan Crane did a bit shift in the second row and did well but certainly it is a concern in the second row now.

“We are probably going to have to bring someone in because we are right down on numbers now.

“I think the physio be