Six Nations
Shanklin joins Wales' injured list
ESPNscrum Staff
January 18, 2011
Cardiff's Tom Shanklin is halted by Northampton's Chris Ashton, Cardiff v Northampton, Heineken Cup, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, December 19, 2010
Tom Shanklin has been ruled out for three months © Getty Images
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Wales have suffered a further midfield casualty prior to the Six Nations, with Tom Shanklin ruled out for three months due to a knee injury.

The Cardiff Blues centre was injured in the region's recent Magners League victory over Aironi and will now undergo surgery to correct the problem.

He joins Andrew Bishop and Gavin Henson on the sidelines for the Six Nations, leaving Wales boss Warren Gatland with diminishing options in an area that was viewed as a major strength.

"Unfortunately Tom has had a scan and needs another operation on that troublesome knee which will keep him out for three months," Blues director of rugby Dai Young said. "Most people saw against Aironi that he wasn't right out there and that's why he had to come off. The knee started to swell up straight after the game.

"We sent him for the scan and the medics thought he needed an operation to sort the problem out. The recuperation period is 12 weeks minimum. He should be back by the end of March, beginning of April, and has to get fit, so he may feature in some of our games at the end of the season.

"Obviously, I'm sure he wants to come back as soon as possible to stake a claim for the World Cup with Wales."

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