WELSH international prop Iestyn Thomas (pictured) will be out of action for eight weeks with turf toe - and that's a huge blow to Ebbw Vale's hopes of climbing the Welsh/Scottish League.

The Steelmen face all the teams surrounding them in the table in the next four weeks, beginning with Swansea at St Helens tomorrow.

Vale are on nine points - along with Swansea, Bridgend and Pontypridd - while Neath are on twelve, so a couple of wins would give Vale a tremendous boost.

But Thomas ruptured a tendon in his toe (turf toe) and broke a bone playing for Wales against Tonga.

Other long-term injury victims are Peter Sidoli, Gareth Green and Chris Bevan (all knee). And outside half Scott Mitchell (groin) is out for at least two more weeks and skipper Chay Billen (neck) is also causing concern. Billen, like flanker Paul Williams who has 'flu, has not trained all week. Prop Andrew Clatworthy is also unfit.

Hooker Leyton Phillips is recovering from an Achilles' injury and centre Rhys Shorney from a groin problem - and they have both trained. Due to their problems, Vale have delayed naming their side.

Ebbw Vale squad (v Swansea): M James, A Wagstaff, N McKim, D Weatherley, A Takarangi, P Matthews, D Weatherley, R Shorney, G Cull, G Betts, K Ellis, D Penisini, M Jones, R Mills, L Phillips, J Evans, C Billen, O Booyse, N Edwards, K Tuipulotu, W Thomas, P Williams, R Williams.