Boss Dean Ryan is hopeful back row Ross Moriarty could feature in the Welsh derby with Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14 at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
Wales international Moriarty was forced off in the second half of the narrow defeat to Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day.
However, Ryan revealed the abrasive forward was making good progress ahead of the 2020 opener on home soil.
“Ross got a dead calf and I think having a few extras days over the weekend (to recover) has helped and we have got him moving,” he said.
“We will see how that is, but there is nothing to indicate it is long-term.
“Owen (Jenkins) has an ankle problem from the Scarlets game and it was compounded by staying on and injuring it again.
“We are trying to get it to settle down over the next couple of days.”
Meanwhile, Ryan has insisted he will not rush any return for Ollie Griffiths and instead is focusing on the long-term for talismanic back row.
“Ollie’s absence is more deliberate by us,” said Ryan. “We have probably pushed him for Wales and a couple of games for us, which was right at the time.
“Now, with everyone else on deck, it is right to try and get some of those things that are sitting underneath with him right.
“If we had to, we could probably get Ollie out there. But we’ve got to stay strong in getting things right for Ollie and make sure he is ready to fly in the new year.”
Watch the Dragons when derby day returns for the opening game of 2020 as we welcome Ospreys to Rodney Parade on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Click HERE to buy your tickets and join us for more top Guinness PRO14 action.
Ross got a dead calf and I think having a few extras days over the weekend (to recover) has helped and we have got him moving...
