Heineken Cup
Blair boost for Cardiff Blues
Scrum.com
January 9, 2009
Cardiff fullback Ben Blair clears his lines during their win over Biarritz at the Arms Park, December 5 2008
Blair is in line to return for the Blues' Heineken Cup clash with Gloucester later this month © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Mike Blair | Martyn Williams
Teams: Cardiff Blues | Wales

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young has been boosted by the news that fullback Ben Blair could make an earlier than expected comeback from injury ahead of next weekend's crucial Heineken Cup clash with Gloucester.

The New Zealander had been expected to miss the two remaining Pool Six games after breaking a bone in his hand in the New Year's Eve defeat to the Ospreys. But he is now in the mix for the trip to Kingsholm on January 18.

"Ben does have a small fracture, but the surgeon has said there is no reason why he can't play next week," Young told the Western Mail. "He can't make it any worse. It's down to Ben really and how he feels. He is in training and catching and passing."

The Blues are also hoping for some goodnews concerning Wales flanker Martyn Williams who aggravated a shoulder injury against the Ospreys.

"He's had an injection just to settle it down," said Young. "It's not a structural injury that needs operating on. It's a total impact injury. It just needs to settle down. He's done nothing this week and we will look at him in the middle of next week.

"Hopefully, he will be fit for Gloucester, if not next week then certainly the week after against Calvisano."

The Blues were further bolstered this weekend by the return of Xavier Rush and Jamie Roberts for the Magners League clash with Leinster. Kiwi No.8 Rush has only had 40 minutes of rugby this season because of a knee injury, while Roberts fractured his skull during Wales' victory over Australia at the end of November. Both men start on the bench for the match at the RDS in Dublin.

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