Rugby World Cup: Wales facing player shuffle after injuries against Samoa

Jamie Roberts was in fine form during Wales' 17-10 defeat of Samoa in Hamilton on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

Wales have big injury concerns over two key players as they eye their crunch Rugby World Cup Pool D game against Fiji early next month.

In the process of beating Samoa 17-10 in Hamilton on Sunday, Wales lost talented back James Hook and blindside flanker Dan Lydiate.

Hook has damaged the AC joint in his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

That would rule him out of the game against Namibia in New Plymouth next Monday and the Fiji game in Hamilton on October 2, and could make him a marginal selection for the quarter-finals, assuming Wales make it that far.

Tackling machine Lydiate rolled an ankle early in the match and has damaged ankle ligaments. There are hopes he will be ready for the quarter-final.

But first five-eighths Stephen Jones is fit again after damaging a calf in the Welsh lead-up programme before the World Cup. He needs one test to overtake the record of 100 he shares with Gareth Thomas.

Versatile forward Ryan Jones is coming back to fitness at a good time, also after a calf injury, and could be a straight swap for Lydiate. The third calf victim, prop Gethin Jenkins, played the last 18 minutes against Samoa, his first outing since January 8.

Previous first-choice fullback Lee Byrne, out of favour with coach Warren Gatland, is likely to come back given the injury situation.