Cardiff head coach Dai Young has played down fears over Ellis Jenkins' fitness after the openside was replaced 20 minutes into their United Rugby Championship win over the Sharks on Saturday night.
Jenkins was named in Wales autumn squad on Wednesday as he prepares to return to Test rugby for the first time since 2018.
However, having returned to Cardiff's XV for the clash with the Sharks, he lasted until midway through the half before being forced off with a knock to the ribs.
But Young revealed post-match that it was just a precautionary measure - meaning he should be fine for Wales' autumn campaign which begins in two weeks.
"More of a precaution," said Young. "It was a bang in his ribs.
"I think anyone who's had a bang in their ribs knows breathing becomes a bit difficult. We thought we'd bring him off knowing what's in front of him.
"We had a sub on the bench and he was in pain. We brought him off as a precaution more than anything. He's still a bit sore and I'm sure he'll be sore for five to seven days.
"We don't expect it to be anything more than that."
That news will come as a boost to Wayne Pivac, with the Wales coach already short of openside flankers two weeks out from the autumn opener against New Zealand.
Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Josh Macleod and James Davies are all out - with Jenkins and Dragons' Taine Basham the only natural options at seven in the squad.
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