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Wales Online
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Tom Coleman

Today's rugby news as key Wales star dealt fresh blow and search steps up to find buyer for crisis English club

Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Wednesday, September 28.

Navidi facing further month on sidelines

Wales star Josh Navidi is still struggling with a neurological neck issue and faces at least another month on the sidelines.

The 33-cap Cardiff back row man picked up the problem in the final Test against the Springboks on this summer’s tour of South Africa.

Read next: Nigel Owens handed key new role amid major URC shake-up

Delivering an update on his condition, Arms Park director of rugby Dai Young said: “He’s had two injections, but unfortunately it hasn’t improved significantly, although it has improved a bit.

“He is due to see the specialist again next week to see if there is anything else they are going to do.

“It’s going in the right path, but I don’t think it’s improved as much as he would like and he’s certainly not anywhere near full training yet.

“I think it will be another month or so before we see him back realistically.”

Navidi has become a key figure for Wales over the years and with the autumn internationals looming Wayne Pivac is monitoring the situation closely.

Wales meet New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia on back to back Saturdays in November.

Administrators begin search for Worcester buyers

Administrators have started their search for a buyer for Worcester Warriors.

Independent insolvency advisers Begbies Traynor are on site at the club's Sixways Stadium, and have already met with key members of staff.

Monday saw the club suspended from all competitions on the back of the decision to be placed into administration, a move that is likely to result in relegation.

Worcester’s debts currently stand at over £25m, a sum that includes at least £6m in unpaid tax.

The upcoming Gallagher Premiership game at Gloucester on Saturday has been postponed, with the next fixture set to be at home to Harlequins on October 8.

Julie Palmer, the lead administrator on the case, told the Press Association: “The focus is to accelerate conversations with interested parties, try and identify somebody who is able to move quickly, is credible in terms of funding and their credibility with the RFU that they would pass the fit and proper person test.

“The (Harlequins) match remains under consideration, but I guess somebody would have to move really quickly in terms of funding and satisfying the RFU if that was to happen.

“If over a period of weeks we get someone who is credible into a position where it looks like it might go forward, then hopefully the RFU would work with us to extend those deadlines, if they need extending, to get a deal over the line.

“The RFU have got their own timelines they need to work with in terms of fit and proper person and making sure the plan is credible from their point of view.”

Young urges Cardiff to get fans on their feet

Dai Young has called on his Cardiff side to produce a performance that their fans can be proud of when they take on the Lions at the Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night.

The Blue and Blacks followed up an opening day home win over Munster with a defeat to Glasgow last week, and Young is eager to be back in front of the Arms Park fans, adding that he wants to give supporters a performance worthy of their loyalty.

“We’re very proud to wear the jersey and play here at home where we have a fantastic support every game. They come out in their numbers and are really vocal,” said Young.

“Every team that comes here will say how good playing at the Arms Park is because the crowd is really close, really noisy and we really appreciate that support.

“In certain periods of the game when we need the crowd - because you’ll never get momentum for the full 80 minutes - they will respond. They really are a 16th man and we really value that support.

“You only had to look at the game last week when they played against Ospreys, who we all know have a very good team at the minute. They had something like six British & Irish Lions in their side, but the Lions still nicked it right at the end.

“So it’s going to be a real good game with lots of rugby to be played by both teams. It should be a lot of entertainment for the people that come to watch.

“Last season we pushed them really close [in Johannesburg] and we were certainly unlucky to come away with nothing at the end of the day.

“But it’s all about the set piece and you’ve got to match their set piece. They’ve got a massive set piece, so the scrum and driving line-outs will always be a challenge, and we’re not kidding ourselves that most teams will try and challenge us there.

“But we need to stand up to that challenge on a weekly basis and this is probably one of the best teams in the league for that."

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