Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby has revealed his side is set to be boosted by the returns of Aaron Shingler and Josh Turnbull for their RaboDirect PRO12 derby clash at Cardiff Blues. The versatile back-rowers will be available for the trip to Cardiff Arms Park however Scarlets skipper Rob McCusker is not set to return to training until Christmas Eve. Hooker Ken Owens is set to miss out with the popped rib cartilage he suffered against Exeter last Sunday although he could return for the Scarlets’ Boxing Day clash against the Ospreys. The second-placed Scarlets had been on a four-match RaboDirect PRO12 winning run before leaders Ulster halted their momentum with a 19-12 win at Parc y Scarlets, but have a good away record with wins at Glasgow, Connacht, Edinburgh and Munster this term. Easterby’s men lost 35-26 on their last visit to Cardiff Arms Park in April 2008 but in their four subsequent visits to the Blues’ former home Cardiff City Stadium, the Scarlets lost once and triumphed three times. And with Shingler and Turnbull available, Easterby believes his side look well-stocked to get back to winning ways in the RaboDirect PRO12. “We hope to select Shings and Josh this week, which adds the depth in that area,” said Easterby. “We have suffered a bit having had to ask George [Earle] to play out of position, it is something he has been prepared to do for the team, but it is not fair on him. “We are nearly back up to full strength there which is good in this period. “Rob is hoping to be back in training on Christmas Eve, he will be available for the Ospreys, but won’t have had a huge amount of rugby going into that. “Ken is struggling this week. He popped a rib cartilage against Exeter, which is unfortunate because he was having a very good game and made a big impact. “Hopefully, he might recover for the Ospreys.” Lock Bradley Davies could return for his first RaboDirect PRO12 outing for the Blues since their 59-22 defeat at Leinster on October 27. Davies was illegally knocked out by New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore when the All Blacks triumphed over Wales in November, leaving the 25-year-old with “memory loss”. Fellow Wales lock Lou Reed is absent due to a bereavement in his family, while Wales centre Jamie Roberts and full-back Leigh Halfpenny are still injured The Blues, who lie ninth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, have only tasted victory once in their last six in the competition, a 14-7 win at Italian outfit Zebre on November 25. Phil Davies’ men are the only team in the RaboDirect PRO12 who have scored more points away than at home this season. But they have also been given a boost ahead of the clash with the news that Wales wing Alex Cuthbert has signed a new three-year contract extension with the region. The 22-year-old resisted the temptation to join several of his international team-mates in France and will instead stay with the region until May 2016, and Davies predicted big things lie in prospect for him. “Alex is 22. He has a fantastic future ahead of him, not just at the Blues but in the game in general,” said Davies. “He is a vital part of our squad and I’m sure that our supporters are also delighted as are the players in the squad. “Alex is a great try-scorer, but he is still young and developing all the time. “His work-rate is phenomenal and his defence and reading of the game is improving considerably. Hopefully, he will get better and better over the next three years.” At Cardiff Arms Park , 7.05pm. Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 2nd competition game) Assistant Referees: James Jones, Sean Brickell (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU) Live on BBC Wales
