Head Coach Dai Flanagan has confirmed centre Jack Dixon has undergone successful surgery on an ankle injury that will end his season - but two more key players could return this weekend.
Dixon sustained the injury at the end of the first half of the BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster Rugby in Dublin last month.
The 28-year-old – who has made 168 appearances for the Men of Gwent – will now commence his rehabilitation and recovery process over the coming months.
"He had an operation last Friday so Jack's season will be over,” said Flanagan. "Sadly, that's part of the game.
"He spoke really emotionally in his last press conference, but when you watch him play, he did not back down from anything, which says a lot about him and what the region and shirt means to him. We will look after Jack.”
Meanwhile, Flanagan has revealed hooker Elliot Dee and back row Harrison Keddie are in contention for the weekend’s game.
Dee, 28, has been ruled out since last October when he sustained collarbone injury against Zebre while Keddie, 26, has not played since suffering a hamstring injury against Cardiff in December.
“Elliot and Harri are a lot closer now,” said Flanagan. “Hopefully they can be in the match day squad this week and that will give us a lift.
“Elliot is an international hooker so it will be really good to have him back in the mix.
“But we should also appreciate what Brodie (Coghlan) has done. He’s been excellent in this spell; he summed up what a Gwent hooker should be with his approach to the game."
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