Ireland flanker Simon Easterby is set to be available to play in the RBS 6 Nations after undergoing minor knee surgery.
The 31-year-old decided to have the operation after suffering a recurrence of the injury he picked up during the autumn internationals.
The Llanelli Scarlets captain will be out for at least two weeks but should be back in time to prepare for Irelands opening game of the RBS 6 Nations championship against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on February 4.
'There have been no complications,' Scarlets boss Phil Davies told BBC Sport online.
'He will recover over the next 10 to 14 days and we should have him back early in the new year.'
He added: ''It is something that could have gone on, we could have managed it and he could have played with it.
'But this is a big year for him and a big year for the Scarlets so we took the decision to get him in as soon as possible without too much drama.''