Head coach Andy Friend believes the position scrum-half Danny Care finds himself in is a conundrum that leaves NEC Harlequins the envy of the Guinness Premiership.

The return to fitness of Steve So'oialo and form of Andy Gomarsall has presented the Stoop management with a selection headache, which sees the 19-year-old in a three-way battle for the number nine shirt.

Care is yet to complete a full 80 minutes for the first team since moving south from Leeds Tykes in the summer as cover for Samoan international So'oialo.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards has tipped England U21 international Care for full honours and Friend has admitted the juggling act of keeping everyone happy is a challenge.

"Danny Care is a tremendous young talent. It was a tricky decision to bring in Andy Gomarsall in October because we weren't sure if it was the fair thing to do," said Friend this week.

"We didn't want Danny to think we had signed him under false pretences as a first or second choice starter, only to be pushed down the pecking order.

"That could have had a disruptive effect on all three players, but we explained the situation to him beforehand and he is very pleased with the situation.

"I honestly don't think there is another club in the Premiership with such a strong set of scrum-halves on their roster.

"Each can bring something special and something different to our game and we have to make sure they are all happy to get the best out of them."

Quins lost their way after Care was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go in Saturday's 24-18 European Challenge Cup defeat to Bath.

Adrian Jarvis potted six kicks from eight attempts as Quins came back from a 16-9 deficit at half-time to lead 18-16 midway through the second half.

But, after Richards introduced Andrew Mehrtens and So'oialo in place of Jarvis and Care, Bath replied through an Olly Barkley penalty and winger Joe Maddock scored in the corner late on to secure the points.

The return of the Stuart Abbott/Hal Luscombe partnership in the Quins back line for the first time since September failed to create a try scoring opportunity.

And Richards conceded the pair still have plenty to prove ahead of any international return, before pointing out a number of his players already deserved recognition.

"Abbott wants to get back in the England team and - like Hal - still has a point to prove," he said.

"Jarvs has done extremely well, Danny has come on leaps and bounds, while Andy is playing very well.

"Will Skinner came in against Bath and showed once again why I brought him here and hold him in such high esteem.

"England lack a seven which is always first and competitive at the break down which is something he is very good at."

While Richards was disappointed with the defeat at the Stoop, he saw enough to feel confident about the return group match at the Rec this Saturday.

"We gave ourselves too much to do after the first half, when we conceded too much ground at the break down from our own defensive frailties," he said.

"We conceded three tries in a game, which is unacceptable. It may be a blip but it is very frustrating and we are working hard to put it right.

"We played to 60 per cent of our potential. If we play like that and still come within six points of winning then we can beat them.

"It will make for an interesting match as we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"Bath are far from the pomp of the late 80s and early 90s but they have some quality players in the likes of Danny Grewcock and Olly Barkley and are a quality side."