Wales and Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones could be back by the end of October. The 26-year-old suffered finger ligament damage in the first game of the season against Edinburgh, raising fears he would be out until December.
But healing has been swift and he could make the early rounds of the Heineken Cup and the November Test series.
The news is a further boost to the Scarlets after the return to action of Mark Jones and Matthew Rees, with Garan Evans only a week or two from fitness.
"It's nice to see back some of the faces we haven't had all season," Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins told BBC Sport Wales. The Edinburgh game was Dafydd Jones' first match since he picked up a groin injury in Wales' win over England last February. He will see a surgeon on Friday, 14 October, to consider his progress.
"The healing seems to be ahead of the original prediction and we hope that will prove the case," said Jenkins.
"It would be great to have him available for Europe and that might now be possible."
The Scarlets open their Heineken Cup campaign at the home of reigning champions Toulouse on 22 October.
MMIX
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It would be great to have Dafydd available for Europe and that might now be possible
