Tait was left battered and bruised by Barry's challenge

Newcastle coach Steve Bates is hopeful the England pair of Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait will be fit for Saturday's visit of Castres to Kingston Park.

The European Challenge Cup is the Falcons' last hope of silverware and Bates is looking for both players to figure in the quarter-final tie.

"Tait has recovered well. If tests go well we're confident he'll play on Saturday," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Noon trained on Monday but we'll have a look at him nearer the game."

Interview: Newcastle Falcons coach Steve Bates

Tait, 22, was the recipient of a fierce high challenge from Harlequins centre De Wet Barry which forced him to retire from Saturday's fixture.

My personal opinion is that it was a pretty severe incident Newcastle coach Steve Bates on the tackle by De Wet Barry on Mathew Tait

Bates admitted the club has treated the young centre with 'kid gloves' ahead of the weekend.

"We're being pretty cautious about Mathew's head, he seems fine and the doctors are happy with his progress," he said.

"My personal opinion is that it was a pretty severe incident and left the player in quite a serious condition. I think a red card was the right thing."