Tom Shanklin is ready for an international recall according to Cardiff Blues boss and fellow Lion Dai Young.
Shanklin has been in superb form for the Blues so far this season as he continues his latest comeback from injury.
The Wales star has been beset with fitness problems in the past few seasons and represented his country on just three occasions in the past 10 months.
His injury jinx has had a heartbreaking effect on his Lions career as well, with a knee problem costing him a Test place during the 2005 trip to New Zealand and a shoulder injury forcing him to withdraw from the original squad prior to the 2009 tour to South Africa.
Shanklin appeared just once in this year’s Six Nations before missing the summer tour of New Zealand with a knee injury, but Young believes the 30-year-old centre is ready to return for November’s autumn internationals.
"In the three games so far Tom has been outstanding," Young told the South Wales Echo.
“He has come back energised and is enjoying his rugby.
"He has been strong and full of energy and has got us over the gainline in every game we have played. He had a bad injury towards the end of last season so was out for a long period.
"I am sure he has missed playing international rugby and that is where he wants be.
"He knows his first job is to cement his place in the Blues side and, if he keeps his current performance levels he can't be far away from the Welsh starting side."
Wales take on Australia, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium this November.
