Six Nations 2018: Injured wing Alex Cuthbert out of Wales squad

Alex Cuthbert won the first of his 47 Wales caps against Australia in 2011 and also faced them in a 2013 Lions Test

Wing Alex Cuthbert is out of Wales's Six Nations squad because of a knee injury that needs surgery.

The British and Irish Lion injured his knee in training for Cardiff Blues in the build-up to their Pro14 win over Cheetahs last Friday.

Cuthbert was not picked for Wales' defeat by England last weekend, instead being released for Blues duties.

The 27-year-old is expected to return in four to six weeks and the Six Nations ends on Saturday, 17 March.

"We should see him late in the season, it's a knee wash-out more than anything so hopefully not too bad in terms of his rehab," Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson told BBC Sport Wales.

The region are also currently without international wing Tom James, who is suffering from depression, and full-back Matthew Morgan.

"Injuries come in (the same) positions for us, so another back-three injury but we've got Ryan Edwards on loan from Bristol, and Blaine Scully is back from his international duty with the US."

Wales coach Warren Gatland opted for Scarlets' Steff Evans and Worcester wing Josh Adams for their opening win over Scotland and the defeat that followed at Twickenham.

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George North returned off the bench against England and Gatland described him as "looking sharp" in an appearance that came after the Northampton wing's recovery from a knee problem.

Fellow wide men Hallam Amos, of Dragons, and Saracens' Liam Williams, have also returned from ankle injuries to boost Wales.

Cuthbert is leaving Blues at the end of 2017-18 and if he joins a team outside Wales, his international career may be over.

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection rules will stop Cuthbert playing for Wales because he has fewer than 60 caps.

Gatland is preparing his side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, 24 February.