Director of rugby Conor O’Shea has been handed a boost after receiving news number eight Mat Luamanu could be fit to return to action in the next fortnight.

The Kiwi back rower, who started the campaign in barnstorming fashion had pectoral surgery at the beginning of November and had expected to be missing for 10 weeks.

But he could now return before Christmas and in time for the Big Game 8 clash with Gloucester at Twickenham.

The news has been countered by the fact Ollie Lindsay-Hague and Sam Twomey both had surgery this week and will be out for eight and 12 weeks, respectively.

But O'Shea accepts the comings and goings are a fact of life in the Premiership.

“We started the season with a really clean bill of health before the likes of George Merrick and Charlie Matthews picked up injuries, but that is just the way it is," he said the Stoop chief.

"It is hard on Ollie [Lindsay-Hague] and Sam [Twomey] because they both started the season so well, but they are out and others are on their way back. Matt [Luamanu] could be back in one more week.

"The likes of Ross Chisholm are back fit now and we have a strong squad, so we are in a good place.

"It is a brutal sport and injuries are just part and parcel of the game. We roll with it and move on."

Quins beat London Irish 38-7 last week and head to Calvisano in the European Rugby Challenge Cup tomorrow.