Lydiate not rushing his return

Star Wales flank Dan Lydiate has revealed that he may play no part in his side's defence of the Six Nations crown due to injury.

Lydiate, the 2012 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is recovering from a broken ankle he suffered in September.

Newport Gwent Dragons coach Darren Edwards was optimistic that Lydiate would be fit to feature in the tournament but Lydiate says he won’t rush back to action if he doesn’t feel 100 percent.

"It all depends on how it goes over the next few weeks but I have not got a specific date," he told the Western Mail.

"I had the screws taken out before Christmas and that helped a lot, it's coming on quite well. I desperately want to play but you don't want to take the field if you aren't right.

"It all depends on me. I'm not being forced to come back on a certain date. I have got to be careful because I'm not running properly yet.

“They have got me doing fast feet exercises and running up the stairs, I have not actually sprinted yet but it's starting to feel pretty good."

As a result of the uncertainty surrounding his fitness, Lydiate was omitted from interim coach Rob Howley's Six Nations squad and the 25-year-old says his frustration has become the driving force in his rehabilitation.

 "It's always hard when you are not involved," said Lydiate, who is confident his side can end a run of seven straight defeats.

 "We have got a title to defend and there's major pressure on us, but in a good way. In the past, when the pressure has been on the boys, they have risen to the challenge."