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Page last updated at 15:31 GMT, Friday, 2 January 2009

Blues suffer Blair injury setback

Ben Blair
Ben Blair kicked two penalties for Cardiff Blues before getting injured

Ben Blair will miss Cardiff Blues' final Heineken Cup pool games after suffering a broken bone in a hand.

The former New Zealand full-back broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand during the Blues' New Year's Eve Magners League defeat to the Ospreys.

The Blues have confirmed Blair will be sidelined for up to four weeks after his hand was put in a cast and the hand is recovering with the aid of a splint.

Blair was replaced in the 17th minute after colliding with Sonny Parker.

Pool Six leaders the Blues travel to Gloucester in Europe on 18 January before hosting Calvisano on 23 January.

606: DEBATE

The Blues have a 100 percent record in the Heineken Cup this season and 29-year-old one-time All Black Blair has been a key player, scoring 58 points in Europe.

Blair underwent an X-Ray and Blues coach Dai Young admits Blair's injury is a "massive blow for both him and us."

Leigh Halfpenny, who replaced Blair in Wednesday's 16-12 defeat to the Ospreys, is likely to replace Blair at full-back in his absence.

The Blues are less concerned with Wales and British Lions flanker Martyn Williams who came off in the second-half with a shoulder injury.

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see also
Highlights - Blues 12-16 Ospreys
01 Jan 09 |  Rugby Union
Cardiff Blues 12-16 Ospreys
31 Dec 08 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
28 Oct 08 |  Wales
Magners Celtic League
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Heineken Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Anglo-Welsh Cup
11 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union


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