Wales hooker Dewi Lake is ready to overlook not less than the beginning of the Six Nations due to a knee damage.
The 23-year-old limped off within the opening interval of Ospreys’ Heineken Champions Cup win at Leicester Tigers.
He had scored the guests’ opening attempt, however was later changed by fellow Wales hooker Scott Baldwin, who’s in line to switch him within the Six Nations squad.
“Dewi might be going to be injured,” mentioned Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“We’re simply ready on an replace however it doesn’t look good. If he’s dominated out we are going to herald Scott Baldwin.
“It is disappointing for him. If you’re are going to get an damage it’s most likely one of the best time to get it now.
“Hopefully then he recovers in time to probably be chosen in a while within the yr.”
Gatland named Scarlets hooker Ken Owens as Wales’ Six Nations captain for a marketing campaign which begins in opposition to Eire in Cardiff on Saturday, 4 February.
Dragons’ Bradley Roberts is the opposite hooker within the Wales squad.
Lake was additionally named in Wales’ autumn squad, however missed the collection which spelled the top of Wayne Pivac’s teaching reign after he picked up a shoulder damage.
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee, Sam Parry of Ospreys and Scarlets’ Ryan Elias are at present injured.
Baldwin, 34, has not performed for Wales since 2017 after making his debut in 2013.
Ospreys head coach Toby Sales space mentioned after the win in opposition to Leicester: “Dewi is a tricky boy so if he leaves the pitch it’s most likely not nice.
“We’re simply hoping he’s again as quickly as attainable, particularly together with his Welsh hat on as effectively.
“It was a knee damage, it received bent backwards, and we simply need to hope it’s a kind of issues that recovers shortly.
“He’s abrasive and we play a collision sport, and the attributes he has are cherished by any coach and he has made enhancements at set-piece.
“He’s a younger participant discovering his means, and discovering his means very effectively.”