Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards is confident England number eight Nick Easter will recover in time to face Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup on Friday.

The 29-year-old injured his knee in the 10-7 Guinness Premiership victory over Worcester 11 days ago, ruling him out of Saturday's 42-13 home defeat at the hands of Richards's former club Leicester on Sunday.

It was initially feared Easter, who took on Bobby "The Dazzler" George in a televised darts challenge at Lakeside yesterday, could miss England's Six Nations campaign.

But Richards believes the World Cup star has recovered sufficiently to be named in Brian Ashton's squad and for Quins' trip to the Arms Park.

He said: "Nick has recovered well and back in contention.

"He was close to being included for Sunday."

Easter's return cannot come soon enough for Richards, who saw his side slump to an eighth defeat in 10 games against the Tigers.

"There were a few positives to take out of the game," said the Quins supremo, who spent two decades with Leicester as player and coach.

"We started well and the first half on the whole was not too bad, but then we went through a 22-minute period where we just imploded.

"If you keep making mistakes against a side like Leicester, you are going to get hammered.

"They kept going until the end but one or two players inevitably let their heads drop."

Richards will be hoping his side show more fight in the Heineken Cup clash at Cardiff, even though Quins' hopes of progressing in the competition have been ended.

He intends to use Friday's fixture, and the visit of Stade Francias on Sunday week, as stepping stones for the remainder of the league season, with Quins desperate to recapture their early-season form.

"Even though we can't get through, the next two games are important because we can use them to rebuild," he said.