Dewi Lake is a Wales injury worry ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
The 23-year-old limped off with a knee injury on the opening period of Ospreys Heineken Champions Cup win at Leicester Tigers and left Welford Road on crutches.
He had scored the visitors’ opening try, but was later replaced by fellow Wales hooker Scott Baldwin.
“Dewi is a tough boy so if he leaves the pitch it is probably not great,” said Booth.
“He is on crutches as you would expect, we are just hoping he is back as soon as possible, especially with his Welsh hat on as well.
“It was a knee injury, it got bent backwards, and we just have to hope it is one of those things that recovers quickly
“He is abrasive and we play a collision sport and the attributes he has are cherished by any coach. The improvements he has made at set-piece make him pick-able.
“He is a young player finding his way, and finding his way very well.”
Wales centre George North was also an early replacement, coming on as Ospreys reshuffled their backs after Cai Evans departed.
Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan was named official man of the match in a back row including fellow Wales squad member Justin Tipuric.
But Leicester boss Richard Wigglesworth described his own member of Warren Gatland’s Six Nations back row options, Tommy Reffell, as “the best Welsh player on the pitch, by a mile”.
Wigglesworth added: “He was brilliant. He’s been brilliant for us and I don’t expect to have him for a significant period of time.”
Winning coach Toby Booth said: “I know I’m on record talking about being in the entertainment business, but I wish it was a little bit more straightforward.”
He added: “It was very stressful, but it was great to get on the right side of it and we’ve won a couple of really close contests and arm-wrestles and we get ourselves in the mix and that’s great and I’m really pleased for the guys and everyone involved.”
Wales hooker options
Coach Warren Gatland named Scarlets hooker Ken Owens as Wales’ Six Nations captain for their campaign that begins against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, 4 February.
Dragons’ Bradley Roberts is the other hooker in the Wales squad.
Lake was also named Wales’ autumn squad, but missed the series after he picked up a shoulder injury before the games series that spelled the end of Wayne Pivac’s coaching reign.
If he is unavailable for any period of time, Gatland will look elsewhere for cover.
Howver, Dragons’ Elliot Dee, Sam Parry of Ospreys and Scarlets’ Ryan Elias are currently injured while Baldwin has been overlooked in recent times. Elias has an Achilles problem.
