Another setback for the Scarlets

The 30-year-old is set to undergo shoulder surgery this afternoon after picking up an injury in Wales' 19-12 loss to New Zealand at the weekend.

Jones could face up to three months on the sidelines, although medical professionals are hopeful that he will return early in the New Year.

A two-three month absence would see Jones miss the Scarlets' Magners League clashes with Edinburgh, Ospreys, Dragons and Munster as the West Wales region look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.

The news comes as a bitter blow to Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies, whose side currently sit eighth in the Magners League standings and lost skipper Mark Jones to injury late last month.

The setback has also ruled Jones out of his country's remaining autumn internationals against Samoa, Argentina and Australia at the Millennium Stadium and could yet impact upon his chances of being involved in the 2010 Six Nations.

Jones will also definitely miss the European Cup double-header with fellow Magners League outfit Leinster in mid-December.

The back row star is also in danger of missing the final rounds of European action against London Irish and Brive which take place in mid-January.

"Dafydd sprung his A/C joint on Saturday and the severity of the injury has lead to him undergoing a repair this afternoon," said Wales physio Mark Davies.

"The prospects for recovery are good and we would anticipate him returning to play early in the New Year."