The Scarlets have been dealt a further injury blow amid doubt over when Wales centre Johnny Williams will return.
Williams had hoped to be available for the festive derbies as he battles to overcome a calf injury. However, having missed the Boxing Day clash with the Ospreys, head coach Dwayne Peel has now ruled the 26-year-old out of the derby against the Dragons on New Year's Day.
And Peel isn't sure whether Williams will feature in their Challenge Cup fixtures against the Cheetahs on January 13 and then Bayonne eight days later. That could cause problems for the five-cap midfielder, with Warren Gatland set to name his Six Nations squad in between those two matches.
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"I don't think he'll play any part in the derbies, which is what we were hoping for," said Peel of Williams. "It's still ongoing that.
"It's taking longer than we thought. He's working hard to get back.
"He's a big player for us. He's physical in midfield. He's been great since he's been here. Unfortunately this injury is dragging on for him.
"Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it soon. I'm not sure yet (about Europe)."
However, Lions prop Wyn Jones is seemingly on course to return for the European block of fixtures, having been out since October with a leg injury. "He's progressing," said Peel.
"Similar to Johnny, he won't be fit for the derbies, but after that he might have a chance for Europe. We'll see how he progresses over the next two weeks as that'll be big for him, building back into rugby and things. Hopefully we can see him out there before too long."
There are further selection concerns heading into the clash with the Dragons on Sunday, which Peel admitted had a must-win feeling to it as the Scarlets currently sit second-bottom in the URC table with just one win from 10. In-form fly-half Sam Costelow won't feature after being forced off last week following a high tackle, with Blade Thomson also yet to recover from a head injury.
Openside flanker Tomas Lezana will miss out after his red card, while fellow back-row Josh Macleod seems likely to be unavailable after a nasty collision with Luke Morgan.
"He's pretty sore," said Peel when asked about Macleod's fitness. "We're monitoring that one as it goes. It was a big collision and he took a big hit to the shin and knee. He's walking gingerly to be honest so we'll see how he pulls up for the weekend.
"It'll take quite a bit for him to turn it around. We need it to be assessed properly, which the medical team are doing at the minute. I'm hoping he'll be ok, but it's unlikely the way he is today."
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