Peel was originally omitted from Wales' squad for the Championship © Getty Images

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Sale Sharks scrum-half Dwayne Peel has been recalled to Wales squad ahead of this year's Six Nations following an injury to Gloucester No.9 Gareth Cooper.

Peel, who has won 64 caps and was the 2005 Lions Test scrum-half in New Zealand, was a surprise omission from Warren Gatland's 28-man squad that will begin the defence of their Six Nations title against Scotland at Murrayfield next Sunday.

Cooper, who was also unable to train on Friday, is battling knee and groin injuries but remains positive. "They're both a bit sore," Cooper said. "I've had the groin problem for the last couple of weeks and I injured my knee playing against Biarritz last week. We'll just have to see what a scan reveals and hope for the best."

Cooper was set to undergo an assessment on his injury today, but it is understood he will most likely miss Wales opening two matches of the Six Nations. With the Ospreys' Mike Phillips the only other scrum-half named in the original squad Gatland has opted to bolster his options in the build-up to their opening Championship clash.

Following his surprise omission earlier this month, Peel bounced back to score a fine solo try in his side's Heineken Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne. He is on domestic duty again today for the Sharks' Premiership clash with Worcester and will join up with Wales on Tuesday,

Gatland will name his side to face Scotland on Wednesday with Phillips favoured to get the starting No.9 berth with Peel now in line to be named amongst the replacement.

Also doubtful for the clash with the Scots are Jonathan Thomas and Mark Jones. Thomas has recovered from his groin problem but is struggling with a bulging disc in his neck while Jones is also being monitored after losing a stone in weight and suffering inflammation following appendix surgery.