Stephen Jones' knee injury will trouble both the Scarlets and Wales

Stephen Jones faces a race against time to be fit for Scarlets' key Heineken Cup Pool Five game with Leicester.

The Wales fly-half suffered a left knee ligament strain in their European win over Treviso on 11 December and was set to be sidelined for four weeks.

But after further scans, Jones will be out for slightly longer - meaning the British and Irish Lion is a doubt for the 15 January clash with the Tigers.

Coach Nigel Davies said: "It's anything between three to four weeks from now."

The 33-year-old, however, is expected to be back to full fitness ahead of Wales' Six Nations opener with England in Cardiff on 4 February.

But the Scarlets hope their talismanic number 10 returns for their final two Pool Five European showdowns with two-time Heineken Cup winners Leicester on 15 January and French giants Perpignan on 23 January.

The Llanelli region are top of their pool with their final two opponents in their slipstream.

It wouldn't surprise me if Gavin Henson makes his comeback for Wales against England Wales fly-half legend Phil Bennett

Experienced Jones is a vital player for the Scarlets but Parc y Scarlets boss Davies is not worried as he believes the Welsh region have adequate cover with Rhys Priestland impressing .

"We feel we have plenty of cover in that position," Davies told the Western Mail newspaper.

Priestland, himself, has recovered from a calf niggle sustained in their 38-15 victory over Treviso in Italy last weekend to play in the Scarlets' festive games with Ospreys and Dragons.

But should Jones not fully recover his match fitness ahead of the Six Nations, Wales great Phil Bennett believes it could pave the way for Gavin Henson to return to international rugby at the Millennium Stadium.

"What happens if Stephen Jones wasn't available for Wales?" Bennett said.

"Would Warren Gatland switch James Hook... Dan Biggar didn't have the greatest autumn... then the name that struck me - Gavin Henson."

Jones' injury is not just a worry for the Llanelli region but Gatland as well as the Wales coach will already be without wings Shane Williams and George North for the start of the 2011 Six Nations while Lee Byrne faces a race against time to be fit.

Henson, who is to make his competitive rugby return for Saracens against Wasps at Wembley on Boxing Day, may be considered as a potential replacement for Jones.

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