Wales prop Duncan Jones will miss the start of the RBS Six Nations with a fracture of the thumb. Jones, who has been contesting the Wales loose-head berth with Gethin Jenkins, suffered the injury in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup loss in Munster.
"It's a big blow for Wales and it's a big blow for the Ospreys as well," Ospreys coach Lyn Jones said.
"But with a bit of luck the time he's out will be six weeks, rather then the six-to-eight we had feared."
Back-up Wales and Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett's injury woes have continued with the news that his neck problem requires surgery and he will be out for the rest of the season.
Wales lock Brent Cockbain is also struggling to make the Ospreys' final Heineken Cup match against Castres after suffering a dead leg against Munster.
Young fly-half Matthew Jones sustained a head injury in the same game and may also miss out.
Whilst the Ospreys have no chance of making the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, Castres could still progress as group winners or as one of the two best runners-up.
Meanwhile, the Ospreys have denied rumours that they are interested in making a move for 31-year-old England and Wasps lock Simon Shaw.
"He is a good player, but he is nothing to do with us," said Ospreys team manager Derwyn Jones.
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