Last Friday was a day of surgery for Cardiff Blues as both Kristian Dacey and Rory Thornton went under the knife and will be ruled out for the foreseeable future
Hooker Dacey suffered a broken foot in the defeat at home to Munster and was withdrawn at half-time. The 30-year-old wasn’t even meant to start but was called in as a late replacement for the ill Liam Belcher.
Surgery on his foot will cost him his involvement for the next few weeks at least, with a similar timeframe anticipated for Thornton’s return after surgery on his left arm.
The 24-year-old did not appear to pick up the injury against Munster, playing the full 80 minutes, but was not considered for selection against Cheetahs after starting every game so far this season.
Also unavailable for Saturday’s win was flanker Olly Robinson having picked up a minor shoulder injury. The 28-year-old underwent surgery on his shoulder over the summer and it is believed this absence is linked to that.
He was still fit enough to run waters against Cheetahs though, with a four week absence time seeing him pencilled in for a return against Pau in December.
Elsewhere Dmitri Arhip is approaching a return to full fitness following his shoulder injury sustained against Glasgow, while Hallam Amos and Owen Lane are both on course to play against Leicester the weekend after next.