Geordan Murphy insists he would do exactly the same thing again.

Murphy dislocated his left shoulder when diving full-length and head-first into Joe Maddock in the in-goal area while trying to score a try in Leicester Tigers' 20-20 Guinness Premiership draw at Bath in September.

Tigers' 31-year-old club captain was ruled out of the game for four months following surgery but he is now back in the picture

And having spent so long watching his team struggle with injuries during his absence, Murphy could be forgiven for thinking twice if faced with the same scenario again.

Would discretion be the better part of valour?

"I would have to be prepared to dive again," he said. "You can't think about things like that and, anyway, that's the way I like to play the game. A bit like Lewis Moody . . . mindless.

"I did my shoulder and had the same operation about eight or nine years ago when I was diving in-goal. I scored that one though so I guess I am 50 per cent."

The full-back just failed in his bid for a spot on the bench for tonight's LV= Cup game against Bath at Welford Road.

Having been pencilled in at the start of the week, Tigers decided not to take any chances and left the Irishman off the team sheet.

However, he could make his comeback in next Saturday's LV= Cup game at Northampton and he is looking forward to it.

"It's exciting to be back after four months out and I want to make sure that it is spot-on when I return," he said. "It's going to be sore for a few games, I know that and I will see how I get on. If I get through the contact stuff in training, that's the important bit.

"It has taken a while to get back but the surgeon has always said 16 weeks. That was my target. I have a few miles on the clock so I know what it's like.

"I was in a sling for four to six weeks and then everything is dead when you start moving the arm again.

"You get it swinging and try and get the mobility back. It's a long road and you take baby steps. Some days you feel fantastic, and some days you go backwards. Two steps forward and one step back.

"I know it will take me some time to get back into it and get my match-fitness up to speed."

Murphy has watched the team he skippered to such success last season battle on without him. Although last weekend's European exit was hard to take, he says Tigers are still well-placed to mount a defence of their Guinness Premiership trophy.

"We have had a very difficult season with injuries and I know that more than most," he said.

"To be on top of the league is fantastic. I am not sure where we will be when everyone has caught up with all of their games, but we have done okay.

"It's important to be in the top four at the end of the season and we won't read too much into being top at the minute.

"Teams that have been on top of the league at Christmas have often not gone on to win it.

"We could be third or fourth when other teams catch up their games in hand but, if the team is playing well and improving, that's where we want to be.

"The LV= Cup is a chance for guys who haven't had a lot of game-time to throw their hat in the ring. We have a proud record at home and Bath are a good team to play against. They play some good rugby but we want to get the show back on the road."