Bishop has won 15 Wales caps since his debut in South Africa in 2008

Wales and the Ospreys have been dealt a blow as centre Andrew Bishop has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury in their Magners League derby defeat at Cardiff Blues on New Year's Eve and is to miss the start of the Six Nations.

Bishop's absence increases the chances of returning centre Gavin Henson being named in Wales' Six Nations squad.

Wales are already without prop Gethin Jenkins and scrum-half Richie Rees.

Loose-head Jenkins has undergone toe surgery that will keep him out of the entire Six Nations while Cardiff Blues team-mate Rees is banned for the whole Championship.

Bishop will definitely miss Wales' Six Nations opener against England on 4 February in Cardiff and also their trips to Scotland on 12 February and Italy on 26 February.

The dependable centre will also miss the Ospreys' final two crucial Heineken Cup Pool Three games against London Irish on Sunday and Toulon.

But Bishop could be available for Wales selection for their forth Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on 12 March.

"Andrew picked up an ankle injury against the Blues on New Year's Eve," said Ospreys physio Chris Towers.

"And we have now been able to establish the full extent of the ligament damage sustained through an MRI scan.

"In light of the location of the injury, we are anticipating that he could be out of action for up to eight weeks."

Bishop, who provided midfield bench cover during the autumn Tests this term, was expected to secure a place in Wales coach Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad when it is announced on January 24.

Gatland, though, would be boosted that Wales full-back Lee Byrne is set to begin his comeback from injury off the Ospreys bench against London Irish in Europe on Sunday.

Wing Shane Williams, meanwhile, could feature when the Ospreys conclude their Heineken pool campaign against Toulon on Saturday week after returning from shoulder surgery.

Returning star Henson is set to make his Saracens Heineken Cup debut off the replacements bench against Leinster on Saturday as he makes a bid for Wales Six Nations selection.

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