Boss Dean Ryan has vowed to continue to adopt a cautious approach with Jordan Williams – but hopes the full back will soon make his return for Dragons.
Williams, 27, has not played since scoring a try double against Zebre in the Guinness PRO14 at Rodney Parade in October.
Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan has admitted he will continue to monitor the backs progress after his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligaments injury suffered against Enisei-STM in Krasnodar in 2019.
However, with upcoming games against Connacht and Edinburgh on the horizon there is now the chance that the free-running Williams could make his return.
“It's unrealistic to think that a high-speed athlete like Jordan is going to come back from an ACL and then play 15 games on the bounce,” said Ryan.
“We probably pushed it a little bit in terms of him then injuring a hamstring and this time we might be a bit more cautious.
“We recognise the games that we have got stacking up in February with the potential of how the PRO14 will end. We have got one eye on that for him.”
Ryan has taken a similar approach with fly half Sam Davies in his recovery from a calf injury and believes that decision will also benefit the region in the long-term.
“Sam’s feeling ready to go and it’s been more us saying it’s not right we can’t afford to risk you,” added Ryan. “I also think Josh Lewis and Tavis (Knoyle) are a good combination.
“There have been times where we have been dependant on Rhodri (Williams) and Sam and I think this has been a time where we needed to grow some people underneath.
“Part of that is around getting some competition for Sam, so I’m not in a rush to get him back on the field.
“I think for one it isn’t in Sam’s interest, but also not doing real justice to where Josh Lewis is at the moment. I’m pretty happy with the half backs we have.”
We recognise the games that we have got stacking up in February with the potential of how the PRO14 will end... We have got one eye on that for him...
