Wales and Ospreys centre Gavin Henson faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a fracture to his left hand during last week's win at Harlequins.

The controversial player (pictured) fractured the fourth metacarpal in his left hand in the closing stages of last Sunday's EDF Energy Cup game, where he scored all the Ospreys' points in a 19-8 win.

After the game, Henson was questioned by police after complaints of drunken behaviour amongst a group he was travelling with when returning by train from London to Cardiff.

The injury could also throw into doubt Henson's fitness for Wales' Six Nations opener with England on February 2, 2008.

"After medical consideration it has been decided that Gavin will not be able to take the field for four to six weeks," said Ospreys director of rugby Kevin Hopkins.

"Both Gavin and our medical staff have worked hard in an effort to get him on the pitch against Ulster this coming Friday, but in the end we have decided that Gavin's long-term wellbeing is best served by him getting the hand properly sorted over the next few weeks.

"Gavin is an excellent rugby professional and no one works harder at their skills and conditioning than he does and he was desperate to play this weekend.

"This disappointment has however been softened by the timely return of James Hook, Ian Gough and Filo Tiatia to the squad for the important double header with Ulster."

The 25-year-old will now miss Friday's Heineken Cup visit of Ulster and the return trip to Ravenhill the following weekend.

He will also be absent for the Ospreys' three Celtic League games against Llanelli, Cardiff Blues and Leinster over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Ospreys will hope to have him back in time for their Heineken Cup programme later in January.

The news will also come as a blow for new Wales coach Warren Gatland who has spoken of Henson having a big role in his team.

Gatland's first game in charge of Wales is against England and the New Zealander will be monitoring Henson's fitness closely in the build-up to the Twickenham clash.

"Gavin was keen not to rule himself out and wanted to have as much time as possible to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend, but having received the opinion of a second specialist, he has accepted that he has to allow the bone healing to occur naturally," said Ospreys doctor Rhydian Lewis.

"He has now had his left hand set in a lightweight cast and, whilst he will be able to continue with his fitness training, it is expected that he will be unavailable for selection for a period of four to six weeks whilst the bone heals."

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport