Star Welsh centre Tom Shanklin's hopes of going on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa could be in tatters after he dislocated his shoulder during Cardiff Blues victory in the Celtic League on Wednesday over Newport-Gwent Dragons.

The 29-year-old enjoyed the high of scoring a try before having to leave the field near the end of the match.

Shanklin was taken to hospital for a scan after the match, but could face a race against time to be fit as the Lions' tour of South Africa starts in 18 days.

Former Wales international and now Blues chief executive Bob Norster said that Shanklin would have to undergo x-rays to assess the damage to his shoulder.

"He has taken a nasty clout to the shoulder, they are just assessing him and getting him down to the hospital for an X-ray and we will know a bit more later on. We will make a proper assessment there with the medics," said Norster.

The Lions squad will already be without Irish scrum-half Tomas O'Leary - who fractured an ankle a fortnight ago - while O'Leary's Munster team-mate Alan Quinlan could also well miss out if he is adjudged guilty of gouging Leinster lock Leo Cullen in last Saturday's European Cup semi-final.

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