Barkley not ready for Bath Rugby comeback
Following last Friday night's 12-12 draw with Worcester Warriors, Meehan indicated that selection would be hotting up ahead of this weekend's clash at The Rec, with the anticipation of Barkley's return to action five months after he re-signed for the club.
But the club was dealt a blow on Monday after the medical team expressed doubts over his fitness, and his omission from the squad was confirmed by Meehan.
"Let me tell you about Olly Barkley because the next time I talk about him is when his name is announced in the match-day 23," said the head coach.
"At the moment he is doing everything he can to get back on the park but he is not quite ready."
It was hoped that Barkley, who returned to Bath after a season with West Country rivals Gloucester, would celebrate his 28th birthday with a place on the bench for the home Guinness Premiership clash with second- placed Irish on Saturday.
The Rec favourite broke his leg during a training ground session on pre-season camp in Portugal and has been desperate to return to playing action.
Meehan said: "He's seeing a podiatrist regarding having some insoles made specially for him to help the recovery but he is very frustrated by the situation, as we all are, and he's working hard with the medical and strength and conditioning team here."
Bath go in to Saturday's clash against Irish in search of their second league win on the back of Friday's nights draw at Sixways and a win in the LV= Cup against Ospreys, while Toby Booth's men will be smarting from a 15-11 home defeat to Newcastle.
Meehan said of the result: "I was glad to see it but Newcastle are on a bit of a roll, have a healthy squad and are in a good frame of mind."
But second-placed Irish, while gaining Meehan's respect, are beatable according to the Australian and he remains confident that the turning point in the league campaign is looming closer.
"Given that a couple of the guys had a couple of weeks off, there was a little bit of rustiness but they will be better off for the run-out.
"The first time we saw David Flatman for the week was when he hopped on board the team bus (to Worcester), so those bits and pieces do play a part.
"Having those guys back means the competition for spots hots up again and the guys need to know that each and every week they will need to perform on the field and at training.
"The points difference between ourselves and fourth place is not that great.
"It's a question of a couple of wins and there are 14 rounds to go.
"It is not impossible and I know that as players come back from injury and the squad comes back together, we get our balance right between our attack and kicking game. I know we will pick up wins.
"Once we break through and gain that bit of confidence we are good enough to beat anybody."
Meehan's selection hand will be considerably strengthened by the return from England duty of wing Matt Banahan and props David Wilson and Duncan Bell for the Exiles' visit.
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