EBBW Vale have been hard hit by injuries as they chase only their second win of the season tomorrow night against Rovigo in the European Shield, writes Robin Davey. Promising young lock Peter Sidoli, a Wales under-21 cap who joined Vale from Merthyr in the summer, is out for six months.

He badly damaged knee ligaments in a freak accident at home when he tumbled down garden steps when he fell over his dog. The subsequent operation will rule him out until the last month of the season.

"It's a shame for Peter as he is quite a good prospect," said Vale coach Mike Ruddock. "It has left us a bit exposed, but we have Gavin Evans who can cover anywhere in the back five and young Damien Hudd."

Back row forward Gareth Green (pictured) has also got knee ligament damage. "It's not torn, it's strained, but it will keep him out for another month," said Ruddock. "It's such bad luck, Gareth had only just made it back after an ankle injury, and all that after being player's player-of-the-year last season."

Better news is the gradual return of flanker Tyron Morris, who broke an arm last March and suffered a setback when it became infected. He has returned to training, but can't take contact until December.

Ebbw Vale will also be without their captain Chay Billen against Rovigo because of a neck injury.

He could be on the bench tomorrow, though Rhys Williams is standing by. It is the first time this season Billen has failed to start, and in his absence the captaincy goes to centre David Weatherley.

Rhys Shorney returns to partner Weatherley and at scrum half Gareth Betts returns for Kevin Ellis. Jonathan Evans gets a chance at hooker in place of Leighton Phillips. South African Ockert Booyse makes his home debut while Kati Tuipulotu returns as he was also unavailable for Agen.

Team: M James, G Cull, R Shorney, D Weatherley (captain), A Wagstaff, S Mitchell, G Betts, I Thomas, J Evans, M Jones, O Booyse, N Edwards, K Tuipulotu, W Thomas, P Williams. Replacements: P Matthews, R Watts, K Ellis, D Penisini, L Phillips, C Billen or R Williams, G Evans. Kick off 6pm.