Cardiff Blues and Wales handed an injury boost

Wales and Cardiff Blues flanker Martyn Williams has eased worries that he would miss the November internationals due to injury.

Wales and Cardiff Blues flanker Martyn Williams has eased worries that he would miss the November internationals due to injury.

When Williams, who was tempted out of international retirement by Warren Gatland, left the Arms Park field injured on Friday there were concerns over the degree of his injury.

These fears were not helped when he was spotted leaving the ground on crutches, leaving many to think his injury was of a serious nature.

But three days on, the 33-year-old is much more optimistic about his prospects and is hopeful of an early return to action.

“Somebody had hold of my left leg and another guy hit me up top,” Williams told The Western Mail about how he got injured.

“So my body went one way and my foot stayed where it was and I twisted on it. I heard a couple of pops, so I thought 'Oh God'.”

The injury occurred moments before the half-time break, and Williams attempted to carry on only to realise it would not be a wise move.

“I've done things like that before and when it's strapped up you can sometimes run it off,” he said.

“The thinking was to try and get through to half-time and then have it looked at during the break.

“But as soon as I got up, I knew there was no way I could carry on. I just couldn't put any weight on my foot. It was too painful and I had to come off.

“I have to admit at that point I was thinking the worst.”

Speaking on Monday Williams revealed the injury was not as bad as he first thought, and now expects to be back in action within a few weeks.

“All the bruising has come out, which is usually a good sign,” he said.

“It's settled down and improved quite a bit. I'm off the crutches and walking about on it.

“I'm pretty certain nothing is broken. I wouldn't be able to walk on it if there was.

“It's difficult to know how these things will react, but I don't think it's anything major. I'm hoping that's it's just minor ligament damage and that I won't be out for too long, maybe just a couple of weeks.”