 Shanklin says the new season is a mouth-watering prospect |
Tom Shanklin says his rehabilitation from the knee injury that cut short his Lions tour is going well. "I've been doing a lot of swimming to strengthen it and I can't wait to start playing again," said the 25-year-old Wales and Cardiff Blues three-quarter.
The Blues are desperate for his return to boost a weakened midfield.
Jamie Robinson will not play until mid September after knee reconstruction and Marc Stcherbina will be missing until late October with shoulder trouble.
Blues number eight Kort Schubert has also been ruled out for two months after the USA Eagles skipper underwent a knee operation.
The region's major summer signing, ex-All Black back-row man Xavier Rush, will arrive in Wales on 22 September.
His debut for the Cardiff side could be delayed, though, as he battles back to fitness after glandular fever.
If Shanklin's rehabilitation continues he could return in October, and he says he is excited by the challenges of the season to come.
"We have my old club Saracens in our Powergen Cup group," said Shanklin.
"There are about 10 of the players there that I played with so it will be great to get them down to Cardiff.
"The autumn internationals are also a mouth-watering prospect, with Wales playing the three big southern hemisphere sides.
"We were unlucky last year to lose to New Zealand, if we beat them by one point this year I'll be happy."
MMIX
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