Stephen Jones looks set to return against Samoa © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Gatland demands more of the same

News: Gatland keeps faith with Wales XV

News: Bennett out to re-write history

News: Jones expects Wales to push on

News: Wales primed for knock-out rugby

News: Warburton hails Faletau impact

News: RWC chiefs defend disputed kick decision

News: Hook not dwelling on 'missed' penalty

News: Roberts: No time to dwell on defeat

Reaction: Welsh devastated by defeat

Players/Officials: Warren Gatland | Gethin Jenkins | Stephen Jones

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: Wales

Wales look to have survived any further injury scares in the wake of their heartbreaking defeat to the Springboks.

And in a further boost, prop Gethin Jenkins and fly-half Stephen Jones remain on course to be available for next Sunday's critical Pool D encounter against Samoa in Hamilton. That would leave calf muscle injury victim Ryan Jones as Wales' only unavailable player, although the medical team hope to have him back in time for an October 2 appointment with Fiji.

"We have done our injury assessment from yesterday, and the initial findings are we've got no major concerns for next weekend at all, which is great news," said Prav Mathema, the Welsh Rugby Union's national medical performance manager. "I think in a competition you have to expect injuries. It's kind of a game of attrition.

"Certainly, we were expecting to have a few more bumps and bruises than we've had from yesterday, and we have been fortunate on the strength of our assessments so far." Jenkins has not played since January, while Jones took no part in Wales' World Cup warm-up schedule last month. Both players have had calf problems.

"Gethin and Stephen we are looking to integrate them both back into training this week," added Mathema. "And if they can come through a pretty high-intensity week leading up to the Samoa game, then we can let the coaches have them for selection.

"Ryan took a part in full training (last week), and unfortunately he had a slight reaction which we are not willing to really push and risk and have him out for a long period of time. We took him back and reintegrated him into treatment and rehab. We are looking at the Fiji game for him.

"Time is very tight being in a tournament, but we are still earmarking that match and we are hopeful he will be ready."