Davy Lake: Wales’ Six Nations hooker and captain sidelined for up to 12 weeks

Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias was Lake’s deputy during the autumn internationals but has missed the last three weeks with a neck injury, with his side hopeful he can be fit by mid-January.

Cardiff’s Evan Lloyd was also in the Wales squad in November, while Dragons hooker Elliot Dee made his first appearance of the season in a defeat against Cardiff on 26 December after recovering from an ankle problem.

One hooker who says he is still available for Wales is Lake Ospreys teammate Sam Parry, who left the national training squad in June in controversial circumstances.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland says he did not intend to “disrespect” Parry after the 33-year-old decided to leave the team ahead of a summer international against South Africa at Twickenham and a two-Test tour of Australia .

Parry’s decision came after Gatland revealed that he was a marginal member of the party when the squad came together and was merely acting as cover for Wales’ other three sidekicks.

Gatland claims he was honest with Parry about where he stood in Wales’ pecking order.

Parry says he still has international ambitions.

“I’m available,” Perry said. “I would love (to play for Wales), but whether the people who have chosen see it that way or not, I don’t really know. But I’m available and hopefully if I perform well enough, We will see what happens.

“I focus on myself and playing for the Ospreys. As soon as you get caught up in wondering whether I’ve got a chance here or whether I’ll be selected, it doesn’t happen.”

When asked directly what happened over the summer, Perry replied: “It’s one of those things. He was over the summer.

“Whatever happened, happened. People see it differently. They’re entitled to their opinion. That’s gone now. It’s a new season and a new beginning.”