The battling Queensland Reds may yet retain Daniel Braid after the marquee flanker's deal with Welsh club Llanelli Scarlets hit an injury-induced snag.
The former Blues player recently-signed three-year Scarlets contract is in limbo due to a ruptured Achilles needing a six-month rehabilitation to get back on the field.
Braid underwent surgery this week after sustaining the injury in the first half of Queensland's forgettable 31-20 loss to the Lions on Saturday night, the same time his new deal was announced.
Llanelli coach Nigel Davies has indicated the contract may be cancelled as the club doesn't want to sign any new player who will miss the opening two months on the Magners League season.
Despite now being back in the picture to retain their key ball-pilferer, Reds high-performance manager Ben Whitaker "sincerely" hoped Braid could still take up his lucrative deal and said he was well down the track looking for a replacement.
Wallabies and Western Force backrower Richard Brown is at the top of the Reds recruitment list but they would be keen to have Braid back if the door shuts on his expected move to the UK.
