Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel said he hoped to be back training in "a couple of weeks" after a scan revealed his groin injury was not as severe as first feared.
The Sale number nine suffered the injury during Saturday's European Cup defeat by Cardiff Blues and has been ruled out of Wales's Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham on February 6.
There were fears that Peel, capped 72 times, might miss the whole of the tournament but he could yet be fit for the February 13 clash with Scotland in Cardiff although the Millennium Stadium encounter with France on February 26 looks a more likely date for a possible comeback.
"The specialist scanned the injury and it's a groin strain," Peel said Tuesday. "Hopefully I should be back in full training in a couple of weeks."
Wales are also currently without another British and Irish Lions scrum-half in Mike Phillips, who has an ankle injury.
Martin Roberts appears to be in pole position to start against England but Wales coach Warren Gatland has alternatives for the No 9 shirt in the experienced Gareth Cooper and Cardiff's in-form Richie Rees.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
