Bad break for Henson

Gavin Henson: had hoped to resurrect his international career by joining the Aviva Premiership newcomers

Gavin Henson's bid to revive his career with London Welsh has suffered a huge blow after he suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone.

The Wales and British and Irish Lions international took a blow to the face 33 minutes into a pre-season friendly against Scarlets, a match his side lost 23-17 in Llanelli.

The 30-year-old, who had hoped to resurrect his international career by joining the Aviva Premiership newcomers, could now be sidelined until the new year if X-rays confirm a break.

"Gavin underwent X-rays yesterday and will have further tests today and there has been no confirmation if his cheekbone has been fractured," said a club spokesman on Sunday.

"Until we know the extent of the damage we will not know if he will miss the game against Leicester and there is not much more we can say at this point."

London head coach Lyn Jones is trying to remain positive about the prognosis of the former Wales three-quarter.

Jones said: "I'm waiting for a bit of feedback before we can say what the extent of the injury is. It was a late shoulder barge off the ball.

"It's not great but perhaps it's just bruising, we'll see. Gav tried to play on, but it was advisable that he went for an X-ray. We're hoping for the best but if it's the worst he's not the first player to get injured.

"No player wants to get injured in a pre-season friendly because of all the hard work that's been done leading up to it. You have to deal with these things in rugby. There's no use crying."

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