The Western Mail reports that IRB World Player of the Year hopes to return to action in time for the start of the Ospreys' Heineken Cup campaign and also Wales' November internationals.

Williams is the seventh member of Warren Gatland's Wales squad to undergo surgery for a shoulder problem and as a result he is set to be without the services of some key personnel for the end of year clashes with New Zealand, Argentina, Samoa and Australia.

Williams' fellow Lions casualties Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones have already been ruled out of the four-match autumn campaign with shoulder problems. Winger Tom James is also likely to miss the autumn programme with a similar problem, while it will be touch and go whether another shoulder victim, centre Tom Shanklin, makes it. Lock Ian Evans is recovering from a knee reconstruction, while there are worries about the fitness of Lee Byrne, Lee Halfpenny and Gavin Henson.

In addition, centre Jamie Roberts (writst/shoulder), hooker Huw Bennett (shoulder), lock Bradley Davies (necK) and back-row Jonathan Thomas are battling to be ready for next season.

Laulala, 27, made his debut for New Zealand against Wales in Cardiff in November 2004 and went on to play for the All Blacks against Ireland in 2006. He also scored the Crusaders' only try in their 2006 Super 14 Final victory over the Hurricanes.

The 33-year-old James joins the Blues on a 10-month deal following his conroversial exit from Welsh rivals the Scarlets. The former Bridgend player recently initiated High Court proceedings against the Scarlets for loss of earnings after having his contract terminated by the struggling region because he had allegedly been unfit to play for more than 26 weeks in the last year.

AAP reports that the 29-year-old, capped four times by Australia, failed to attend Wallabies training in Sydney on Wednesday, just hours before reports revealed he wanted out of his lucrative four-year contract with the Austrlian Rugby Union.

Tahu quit the Eels in 2007 to sign with the Australian Rugby Union and New South Wales Waratahs but now seems set to return to the club for the start of the 2010 season.