Stcherbina will miss all of the Blues' Heineken Cup group games

The 30-year-old injured his shoulder at the start of the season but played through the pain in the league match against the Dragons on 7 September.

After experiencing more discomfort, Stcherbina went for a scan last week which revealed the need for surgery.

But Andy Powell is nearing full fitness after recovering from shoulder surgery which has kept him out since April.

The number eight is set to play for Glamorgan Wanderers on Saturday in a Welsh Premiership match against Cardiff at the Arms Park.

Powell had total reconstruction surgery on his left shoulder at the beginning of the 2006/07 season, and then needed the same treatment on his right shoulder after an injury just three games into his comeback.