Gavin Henson could replace Stephen Jones as Wales fly-half

Wales great Phil Bennett believes Stephen Jones' injury could pave the way for Gavin Henson's Welsh return.

Scarlets fly-half Jones faces up to four weeks out after straining a ligament in his left knee in their Heineken Cup win against Treviso.

"What happens if Stephen Jones wasn't available for Wales?" Bennett said.

"Would [Wales coach] Warren Gatland switch James Hook... Dan Biggar didn't have the greatest autumn... then the name that struck me - Gavin Henson."

Jones will undergo what the Scarlets medical team are calling a "precautionary scan" on Wednesday on his knee ligament injury.

A Scarlets statement said: "The region's medical team have re-assessed Jones on Tuesday and stated that early signs indicate that the Wales international has a minor knee ligament strain, which will probably keep him out of action for up to four weeks."

It wouldn't surprise me if [Gavin Henson] makes his comeback for Wales against England Wales fly-half legend Phil Bennett

Jones' injury is not just a worry for the Llanelli region but Gatland as well as the Wales coach will already be without wings Shane Williams and George North for the start of the 2011 Six Nations while Lee Byrne faces a race against time to be fit.

Jones is scheduled to recover from his injury two weeks before Wales' Six Nations opener with England on 4 February.

But Wales' number one fly-half could still be short of fitness when the English visit the Millennium Stadium.

Henson, who is set to make his competitive rugby return for Saracens against Wasps at Wembley on Boxing Day, may be considered as a potential replacement for the 33-year-old.

The 2005 British and Irish Lions centre has been out of the game since suffering an ankle injury playing for the Ospreys against Gloucester in March 2009.

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The 28-year-old, who has been on a sabbatical for more than 18 months, has made no secret of his hope to force his way back into the Wales squad in time for the Six Nations now that his television commitments have ended.

With South African Derick Hougaard ruled out for the majority of the season, Henson could play at fly-half for Saracens, though Owen Farrell has impressed in the role recently and the Premiership side are currently short of centres through injuries.

"I said a few weeks ago when he was still on Strictly Come Dancing, it wouldn't surprise me if Gavin makes his comeback for Wales against England," Wales legend Bennett told BBC Sport.

"And they all laughed at me!

"But stranger things have happened and let's keep on with this story... I don't know, he could be playing number 10 for Wales against England."

Stephen Jones' knee injury will trouble both the Scarlets and Wales

Jones' injury is of immediate concern to the Scarlets as coach Nigel Davies will be his talismanic fly-half for their "must-win" Heineken Cup Pool Five trip to Treviso on Saturday.

The British and Irish Lions star is also set to miss the Scarlets' all-Welsh Magners League festive season derbies with Ospreys and Dragons.

A return for the final two European pool games against Leicester and Perpignan in late January is possible for Jones if his rehabilitation goes well, though Bennett would have concerns about his readiness after a month on the sidelines.

"The big worry is the matches he comes back to play," admitted Bennett.

"Leicester at home and Perpignan away in the European Cup is a big ask for Stephen.

"He will be badly missed by the Scarlets but let us hope he recovers in time for Wales."