Injuries mount for Wales ahead of Namibia clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales are set to reassess their injury situation after next Monday's World Cup Pool D clash against Namibia in New Plymouth.
Flanker Dan Lydiate has been confirmed as suffering from ankle ligament damage which forced him off after just 10 minutes of last Sunday's crucial victory over Samoa.
Full-back James Hook's shoulder injury will be reviewed later this week, while it is hoped that back-row forward Ryan Jones, who has yet to play in the tournament because of a calf muscle problem, will participate in full training tomorrow.
If Wales decide to summon a back-row replacement, then it looks likely to be a choice between Ospreys pair Jonathan Thomas and Justin Tipuric, plus the Scarlets' Rob McCusker.
Three other possibilities are all injured, with Melbourne-based Gareth Delve having undergone knee surgery, flanker Martyn Williams recovering from a broken arm and Josh Turnbull sidelined by shoulder trouble.
"We are just going to use as much time as we've got to find out a little bit more about Dan and James to give them as much time as possible," Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde said.
"We haven't got to rush into any sort of decision. We have got players who can cover the back-row.
"(Lock) Alun-Wyn Jones could move into the back-row, he is a realistic option for us. We are not down to the bare bones yet.
"The medical team are working around the clock, and Dan is getting up every two hours, icing his foot.
"Dan is professional to the end. He's a big part of this team. With him, Sam (Warburton) and Toby (Faletau) in the back-row, as we saw against South Africa, they are quite a unit together.
"We hope Ryan will be able to take a full part in training tomorrow. Slowly but surely, we are getting back there. We are hopeful these guys will pull through.
"I think we have got to be realistic. If we pick up any more injuries following the game on Monday, we will have to reassess the situation and move pretty quickly then.
"We will see how we get through the game."
Fly-half Stephen Jones, meanwhile, looks set to start against Namibia after being laid low by a calf injury since early August.
Should Jones feature in New Plymouth, he will win his 101st cap and break the Wales appearance record he currently jointly holds with Gareth Thomas.
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