Justin Tipuric is likely to have to delay his rugby comeback until the new year as he battles back from the shoulder injury he sustained while on Lions duty last summer.
There had been a slim chance that the Wales international and Ospreys captain might feature against the Dragons in Swansea on Boxing Day.
But the probability is the fixture will come too soon for him.
“It’s going to be unlikely he makes the first Christmas derby,” revealed Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.
“We just have to make sure we tick all the boxes and get him back for good and not just for a one-off game or 20 minutes or whatever.”
The Ospreys had previously revealed that Tipuric had shattered a scapula in the Lions v Japan encounter at Murrayfield on June 26.
He has since returned to a form of training, but the region are determined not to rush him back before he is ready.
“This is the bit that can ebb and flow a bit,” said Booth.
“Justin’s in some things (with the squad) but not in others.”
There’s potential for Tipuric to return in the United Rugby Championship derby clash with the Scarlets in Llanelli on New Year’s Day, though nothing has been confirmed.
The Ospreys also have George North and Dan Lydiate on their long-term injury list, with both recovering from anterior cruciate ligament problems.
Lydiate has already been sidelined for 10 months since damaging his right knee playing for Wales against Ireland in the opening game of the Six Nations
North hit trouble two months later while on Ospreys duty against Cardiff in the Rainbow Cup.
With no return date pencilled in for either player, there’s a fair chance Wayne Pivac will name his Wales squad in mid-January before North and Lydiate have returned to the field.
It follows there could be a race against time for both players to put themselves in contention to make the Six Nations starting grid against Ireland in Dublin on February 5.
“They are ACL boys, so that last part is very tough,” said Booth.
“The most accurate thing I can say is they’re ready when they’re ready, whether that’s January or February — hopefully not beyond that.
“But ultimately these things can eke out over those time limits.”
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