Cardiff Blues v Dragons: Taulupe Faletau doubtful for derby

Dragons number eight Taulupe Faletau injured his ankle in the win against Zebre

Newport Gwent Dragons could be without Taulupe Faletau for the Boxing Day Pro12 derby against Cardiff Blues.

The number eight aggravated an old ankle injury in the win over Zebre and will see a specialist on Tuesday.

Cardiff Blues are without their Wales back-row Sam Warburton because of a shoulder injury.

Warburton sustained the injury during Friday's 21-9 win over the Scarlets, similar to a knock he suffered in Wales' win over South Africa.

The Wales captain, 26, is expected to return in time to face the Dragons at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day.

Sam Warburton (right) takes on Emyr Phillips during the Cardiff Blues' 21-9 win over the Scarlets

"He had a bit of a stinger… I think it will only be one week," said Blues director of rugby Mark Hammett.

The New Zealander says he would have rested Warburton for one of the festive clashes against their Gwent rivals regardless of injury.

"He's had two games and, as it is, I would have managed him for one of these games anyway," said Hammett.

Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones said that Faletau was only "50-50" to face the Blues at Cardiff Arms Park but hoped to know more after the back-row had seen a specialist.

"Toby has a twisted ankle, he's going to see a specialist this afternoon," Jones said.

"It's an old injury that's had an operation in previous years and we want to be careful.

"It's a precautionary visit and opinion to make sure that what we're seeing and feeling is right, so that we can move [Faletau] forward at the speed of his own recovery.

"It's no more than 50-50 for this Boxing Day and if not then we'll just have to give him as much time as we can to make sure that he's fine again."

Teams:

Cardiff Blues: tbc

Newport Gwent Dragons: tbc

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU)

Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas, Craig Evans (both WRU)

Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)