Posted by Cardiff Blues winger Blaine Scully is a doubt to make the start of the season after undergoing off-season ankle surgery in the United States.
It is believed the USA Eagles captain is clearing up a pre-existing problem, having played through the end of the season with Cardiff Blues and then gone on to make three test appearances in the summer international window.
The 30-year-old was a key member of the squad at the Arms Park last season, making 15 appearances in all competitions and scoring four tries, including that crucial score at the end of the European Challenge Cup Final in May.
He now faces a race against time to make it back to full fitness, with the first pre-season game just a month away, and the opening game of the Guinness Pro14 campaign taking place on the weekend of 31st August/1st/2nd September.
With Rhun Williams also set to miss the start of the season, and Owen Lane still recovering from the broken hand picked up in Bilbao, John Mulvihill will be looking to the returning experience of Tom James, the pace of Aled Summerhill and new signing Jason Harries as Cardiff Blues face Leicester and Exeter in the season warm-ups.
Those injuries may also pave the way for former Cardiff Blues Academy player Tom Williams to get some game time on the wing, as he is currently in discussions about undertaking a trial period after being released by the Scarlets at the end of last season.
Young players Harri Millard, Cameron Lewis and Corey Howells will also be looking to get some game time as Mulvihill takes the chance to evaluate his squad.
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