91Èȱ¬

Wales have been advised to rest flanker Dan Lydiate to help him completely recover from his ankle injury.

Lydiate and Rhys Priestland remain doubts for Wales' opening Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

And Lydiate's ex-Newport Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner says Wales should sideline him for the first two games.

"It is probably only right he has a rest over the next two weeks and comes back for the last two. It's a pity for him," Turner told 91Èȱ¬ Wales.

"He will certainly be a miss. But you have got to be careful with injuries these days. If you play with injuries you can be out for an even longer time."

Wales have delayed naming their side to face Ireland until Friday, while they give Lydiate and Priestland (knee) extra time to prove their fitness.

Both players suffered the injuries while playing for their clubs in European competitions last weekend.

Lydiate has been plagued with ankle problems and ligament damage in Wales' 2011 Rugby World Cup pool win over Samoa ruled him out until he returned after treatment for the quarter-final victory over Ireland.

He was then was injured again in in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Fly-half Priestland was injured during in the Heineken Cup.

"He's stopped limping about the place so obviously we'll have to see how it goes," said Wales team manager Alan Phillips.

As cover for Priestland, Wales have called up his regional colleague in Poland following James Hook's return to club duties with Perpignan in France.

Wales are more hopeful on centre Jamie Roberts, despite him yet to play a game this year, having suffered a knee injury during Cardiff Blues' Pro 12 win over the Dragons in December.

After the Ireland match Wales, who , host Scotland seven days later followed by a trip to Twickenham to face England on 25 February.