Wales faces a series of injury concerns as its rugby team prepares for the opening round of Six Nations fixtures.

Stephen Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, James Hook and Martyn Williams are among those who have recently sustained injuries and are doubts for the match against England at Twickenham on February 6th.

Tom Shanklin left the field on New Year's Day with a knee problem during Blues' 26-0 defeat by Ospreys to add to the crisis.

Such a situation has concerned national team coach Warren Gatland sufficiently for him to hold a pre-selection meeting with Ospreys, Dragons, Scarlets and Blues to assess the resources available to the national side ahead of the trip to London.

Those facing their own injury problems from playing contact sport, such as knee damage, could find that ultrasound treatment aids healing and a return to fitness.

Other sportsmen recently sidelined with knee injuries include Manchester City centre-half Joleon Lescott, who recently underwent an operation on the joint that could see him out of action for up to eight weeks.