Cardiff have confirmed that Jarrod Evans has avoided fracturing his sternum and will be out for a month with heavy bruising suffered in Friday night’s win over Connacht.
The fly-half took a knee to the chest in an aerial challenge after 20 minutes at the Arms Park and there were fears a fractured sternum would see him ruled out until the new year, but scans revealed that had been avoided and he will now aim to return for the derby against the Dragons on 23rd October, although that is unlikely.
Of course Evans was only on the field on Friday as Rhys Priestland took a knock to the head just 67 seconds into the game and subsequently failed a HIA. The 34-year-old is working through the return to play protocols and will be available for selection against the Ospreys on Saturday if those are passed.
He could be joined in the squad by Ben Thomas who suffered a groin injury in pre-season but is in the latter stages of his rehabilitation and could be brought back into the matchday squad if he proves his fitness in training this week.
Meanwhile Jason Tovey continues to be fit and available as a back up option should one or both of Priestland and Thomas miss out on the derby in Swansea.