Gary Powell was stretchered off in the loss to Leinster on Sunday

The Blues' front-row problems have grown with the news that Gary Powell could be out until the end of the year.

The tight-head prop suffered a torn Achilles in Sunday's 20-29 Leinster loss and will have surgery this week.

He is expected to be out for between six and eight months, leaving the Blues with just two fit props for Sunday's LV= Cup semi-final with Gloucester.

"We're short of props, we're short in all positions," Blues coach Dai Young told BBC Sport Wales.

"We can't prioritise competitions because we've got 23 players to pick 22 from so we can't rest players or change many."

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Props Taufau Filise and Scott Andrews are expected to start against Gloucester, with Rhys Thomas at hooker.

Of the other props on the region's books, John Yapp is still a few weeks off returning having recovered well from his torn bicep, Sam Hobbs is ruled out after suffering a head injury in the win over Newcastle Falcons, and Gethin Jenkins is on Wales duty.

Forwards Gareth Williams and Deiniol Jones are also injured, while Bradley Davies, Martyn Williams, Sam Warburton, Richie Rees, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin are with Jenkins in the Wales squad.

Young is expected to turn to his regional feeder clubs from the Welsh Premiership for back-up.

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