Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel has ruled out an immediate emergency move for Wales internationals Ashley Beck and Owen Williams to ease the Llanelli club's growing centre crisis.
The Scarlets' midfield cupboard is looking relatively bare at the minute, with Jonathan Davies in effect the only fully fit senior option available to Peel. Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Corey Baldwin and Ioan Nicholas are all currently sidelined, while the Scarlets are hopeful that Scott Williams will be fit to return this weekend against Zebre.
To add insult to injury, former club captain Steff Hughes - who was released at the end of last season - has recently joined the Dragons as injury cover just as the Scarlets battle through their own fitness issues.
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However, Worcester Warriors' recent financial troubles that saw the club suspended from all competitions and the contracts of their playing squads terminated has meant there are currently a number of free agents on the market looking for new clubs. Two of those, Beck and Williams, happen to be Welsh and play their rugby in midfield - which, in theory, would make them an ideal fit for the Scarlets at this moment in time.
However, Peel has ruled out any immediate move for either due to the continued uncertainty over playing budgets, with the four Welsh professional sides still in the dark about what their budgets for next season will be.
"We've allocated our budget for this year so it's tough now, especially with what is going on with funding," said the Scarlets head coach. "From my perspective, we have to be happy with what we've got now.
"If an opportunity arises that we can pounce on, I'm sure the club can do that. But we wouldn't be looking to do that immediately in that position."
Despite any move for injury cover being unlikely, Peel is under no illusion just how stretched they are in midfield. Winger Steff Evans ended the match against Cardiff in the centre, potentially paving the way for Wales U20s centre Eddie James, who spent the summer playing for a club in New Zealand to gain added experience, to come into the mix.
For now though, Peel is hopeful that the impending return of Scott Williams will help matters in that department.
"We're hopeful that Scott Williams will be fit this week," added Peel. "That's one that will be good for us as we're barebones in centre after Corey Baldwin took a knock.
"It's good for leadership as well. He delivers that and is a good leader in the group.
"I've enjoyed working with Scott. He's good within the group. He demands high standards.
"It's been a frustrating few months for him. Having him back is a positive and is needed as we're stretched at centre.
"Joe (Roberts) will be post this block. I'd imagine he'd be fit maybe the end of November or early December.
"I'm really disappointed for Joe. At the end of last season, he was playing some good stuff and I thought he'd kick on. Having a pre-season for him would have been great.
"Then to get injured in the last minute of the last game of the season is disappointing for everyone. What I would say is that he's training really well.
"Not in a rugby sense, but he's doing his recovery and is looking well. He's one to look out for in the future.
"It's a shame that he's not available to us for this block, as is the case with Corey. He looked good defensively on the weekend.
"He finished the try that was disallowed really well. It's disappointing that we've not got those two boys now."
The Scarlets also hope to welcome back Josh Macleod from injury this weekend, which will ease back-row concerns after Vaea Fifita's red card against Cardiff.
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