Cardiff Blues number eight Xavier Rush has a dislocated finger

Cardiff Blues are looking at back-row options after losing Xavier Rush and Maama Molitika to injury.

New Zealander Rush will miss three to four weeks with a dislocated finger, while Tongan Molitika is out for at least three months with a chest injury.

Blues open their Heineken Cup campaign with the visit of Harlequins on 10 October and boss Dai Young hopes for a squad replacement for Molitika.

"We're looking for someone who'd make an impact, the process is on," he said.

"It's obviously something we've got to look at. Whether we can afford it, I don't know, also whether that player is out there, a player of quality."

It's not ideal to play Robin Sowden-Taylor and Sam Warburton together Dai Young on his back-row options

The experienced and influential international back-rowers suffered their injuries in Saturday's Magners League Welsh derby win over the Scarlets.

Ahead of the Quins game there is also a doubt over Lions centre Jamie Roberts, who suffered a neck injury against the Scarlets.

Scans have ruled out any serious problem with the spine but Roberts could be out until the middle of next week with the soft-tissue damage.

The injuries to Rush and Molitika leave the Blues without three of their leading performers in the back row, as Lions open-side Martyn Williams is already sidelined with a shoulder injury that will keep him out until next year.

606: DEBATE How badly will the injuries disrupt the Blues?

Lions prop Gethin Jenkins is another absentee with a long-term shoulder problem.

Blues director of rugby Young can still call on Lions tourist Andy Powell, plus the likes of Robin Sowden-Taylor, Sam Warburton and Ben White, while Scott Morgan is also capable of playing in the back row rather than his more usual position of lock.

"Xavier and Maama are key players for us, they're obviously two big blows," Young told BBC Sport Wales.

"We've got other players to come in. It's not ideal to play Robin and Sam together [because Young sees both as open-sides].

"But it could be worse because they are both quality players. We'll see how they go this weekend."

Quins can field a combative breakaway unit, with England's Nick Easter and Chris Robshaw, captain Will Skinner - the former Leicester player - and England Sevens player Tom Guest all in the mix.

One bright spark for the Blues is the return to fitness of Tom James, who is now back in full training and could return against Glasgow on Saturday in the Magners League.

The wing has been sidelined since Wales' summer tour of North America with groin and shoulder problems.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version