The Scarlets will have to do without Wales and British & Irish Lions outside half Stephen Jones for their return trip to Italy this weekend to face Benetton Treviso in Pool 5.
The 33-year-old Jones injured his knee in last weekend's 35-27 Heineken Cup victory over the Italians at Parc y Scarlets and has been told he can expect to be out of action for the next month.
The Scarlets medical team re-assessed the injury today and confirmed that early signs indicate that he has a minor knee ligament strain. If he is ruled out for the full month then he should return in time for the vital Round 5 and 6 clashes with Leicester Tigers and Perpignan.
Pool 5 is one of the tightest of all this season's Pools with the Tigers leading after three round with 11 points. Perpignan are second with 10 and the Scarlets third on the same points.
The Scarlets are also facing injury worries over Wales skipper Matthew Rees, who will have a late fitness test this week to see if he is available for the trip to Treviso this weekend. Rees is carrying a minor adductor strain in his groin.
