Welsh internationals Craig Morgan and Ryan Powell are included in Cardiff Blues 22-man squad that travels to Scotland for Friday evenings match against The Borders at Galashiels (7.30 pm).
Both players appeared for the Cardiff club side in Premier Division matches last week and are now fit to return to Celtic League action. Morgan scored 71 tries in 122 games for the Blue and Blacks before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the final six weeks of last season. Powell was forced to withdraw from Wales summer tour after sustaining hand and leg injuries.
Their return bolsters a Blues squad that is still unable to call on 14 players through injuries, suspensions and World Cup commitments. Wing Dean Dewdney is the latest casualty, a neck operation last week effectively ruling him out of contention for up to six months. Fellow wing Jonny Vaughton has not played since the pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints because of a pelvic injury. He is likely to be available again in three weeks time but centre Pieter Muller could be out for another month because of an ankle injury.
Lock Andy Moore has a hamstring strain but is expected to be match-fit inside a fortnight. With hookers Gareth Williams and Rhys Thomas also injured the Blues have obtained a permit for ex-Ebbw Vale hooker Leyton Phillips to be replacement cover against The Borders. Prop Darren Crompton continues his return to match fitness after shoulder surgery with another game for Cardiff against Carmarthen Quins on Saturday.
At Galashiels on Friday Dan McShane and Jim Brownrigg will form a new lock combination, James Malpas continues at number 8, and Matt Allen returns at inside centre.
Blues Team:
Donavan van Vuuren; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Matt Allen, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, Andrew Moore; Kenneth Fourie, Andrew Lewis (captain), Ben Evans, Dan McShane, Jim Brownrigg, Rob Appleyard, James Malpas, Dan Baugh
Replacements: John Yapp, Leyton Phillips, Chris Stamatakis, Nathan Thomas, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Powell, Nick Macleod
Referee: Olan Trevor (Ireland)