Wales Rugby
Lydiate could return for Six Nations
ESPN Staff
September 30, 2012
Wales' Dan Lydiate shifts the ball, Wales v Scotland, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, February 12, 2012
Wales international Dan Lydiate broke his ankle in the Dragons' PRO12 victory over Edinburgh on Friday night © PA Photos
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Dan Lydiate could return in time for Wales' Six Nations campaign after it was confirmed that his ankle injury is not as bad as first feared.

The 24-year-old suffered the injury less than two minutes into the Dragons' 32-12 win over Edinburgh on Friday night and the original fear was that he had broken and dislocated his left ankle.

However, X-rays at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital found Lydiate did not suffer a dislocation, although he did break a bone in his ankle and will have an operation on Suday at the city's private St Joseph's Hospital.

Lydiate - who was the Player of the Championship in this year's Six Nations as Wales won the Grand Slam - could be back in action in four months, giving him the chance of playing in the latter stages of the Six Nations.

It is also a major boost to his ambitions of touring Australia with the British & Irish Lions next summer with the promise of plenty of time to hit top forma and fitness ahead of Lions selection. However, his confirmed absence for Wales' autumn internationals against Argentina, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia, is still a severe setback for the Six Nations champions.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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