SAM Burgess is still at least six weeks away from kick-starting his Bath career, according to head coach Mike Ford.

Burgess' arrival in Bath could now be delayed by a month, after the England rugby league international's successful surgery to repair a shattered cheekbone and eye socket.

The 25-year-old suffered the nasty injury in the opening exchange of South Sydney Rabbitoh's first NRL Grand Final victory in 43 years.

Burgess played through the pain in his last rugby league clash before joining Bath, to lead South Sydney to 30-6 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bath told Burgess to take as long as he needs recuperating in Sydney after surgery, but now Ford expects him to arrive in the west country in the next month.

"He's had the operation and we're now figuring out a time for him to come over," said Ford, after Bath's 29-22 Aviva Premiership defeat at Wasps.

"So it will be two to four weeks for his arrival, and yes probably six weeks roughly for a playing return."

Bath's big-money capture Burgess was aiming to arrive in the city on October 15 on order to get acclimatised period to rugby union.

The line-breaking talent is still viewed as a wildcard option for England's Rugby World Cup 2015 bid, with head coach Stuart Lancaster keeping tabs on his progress.

Bath will aim to throw Burgess into initial action in the centres, with England viewing his game-breaking talents as best suited to midfield too.

Bath boss Ford wants to employ Burgess in the back-row in the long-run however, and his conversion to union continues to attract many observers with vested interests.

Bath are adamant they will not rush Burgess' conversion, but Ford already admitting his cheekbone injury could prove a blessing in disguise.

Andy Goode landed 16 points with the boot, while Sailosi Tagicakibau's score, a penalty try and Elliot Daly's long-range penalty secured victory for Wasps.

Micky Young, Leroy Houston and David Young were sin-binned in an indisciplined performance that consigned Bath to their second league defeat of the campaign.

Jonathan Joseph, Young and David Sisi hit back with late tries, with George Ford slotting a penalty to secure a losing bonus point.

Ford bemoaned his side's uncharacteristic scrummaging performance, finding solace at least in their recovery from 29-0 down.

"It is disappointing, but it's not all doom," he said. "You can't be that far off the pace in the set-piece in this competition.

"We're fourth after six games, after playing some decent opposition.

"If we can put it all together, we're going to be there or thereabouts.

"It was 29-0 at one stage, so we are pleased with the character and the response of the team."