TAULUPE Faletau has been sent to a specialist to get an expert opinion on the ankle injury that has ruled him out of Newport Gwent Dragons’ Boxing Day derby with Cardiff Blues.

The Wales and Lions number eight limped off in the first half of last Sunday’s 25-11 win against Zebre at Rodney Parade in the Guinness Pro12.

He will not feature against the Blues in the capital on Friday while he is also a doubt for the return derby at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day.

With crunch European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures against Newcastle and Stade Francais looming, as well as the Six Nations, the Dragons medical staff have sent the 24-year-old to a specialist as a precaution.

“We want to be careful,” said director of rugby Lyn Jones. “It’s a precautionary visit to make sure what we are seeing and feeling is right so we can move ‘Toby’ forward at the right speed.

“We have to give him time to make sure he’s fine again but it’s not right for me to predict how an injury is 48 hours after it has occurred.

“But we will do what’s right for Toby because it’s not just about the Cardiff Blues game, there is the Six Nations as well.

“What you find with a twisted ankle, is there will be a weakness for the rest of the season and it will need strapping.”

Lewis Evans is likely to start at number eight in Cardiff while former Wales and Lions back row forward Andy Powell is in the mix to be among the replacements at his former stomping ground.

Ian Gough is also in contention after almost three months out with a shoulder injury but centre Ross Wardle is out after suffering blow to his right shoulder against Zebre.