Head Coach Dai Flanagan has revealed Ollie Griffiths and Will Rowlands are closing in on playing returns – but lock Joe Davies has been stood down from action.
The Men of Gwent head to the Swansea.com Stadium this Saturday afternoon for a BKT United Rugby Championship derby with Ospreys (kick-off 1pm).
Influential figure Griffiths – who celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday - could make his 99th appearance for Dragons after recovering from a pectoral injury.
Wales international Will Rowlands has also completed two weeks of training as he steps up his recovery.
But second row Joe Davies will not feature as Flanagan adopts the same approach that he took with Angus O’Brien after a series of concussions for the big lock.
“We’ve got a very healthy and fit squad to pick from,” said Flanagan. “There will be some returnees and it’s an exciting team, a very mobile and quick team.
“We’ve also got to front up. They have a strong set piece with a strong maul. We’ve got to match that.
“Will (Rowlands) is flying. He has trained with the team the last two weeks - he is not far off. We need to decide whether we play him for the benefit of Will.
“Ollie is also flying around, he is close. We have unbelievable depth in the back row, and it could change our options on the bench.
“One player who misses the game is Joe (Davies) who has had two concussions in a short period of time, like Angus (O’Brien), so we have made the decision for him.
“He plays in a tough position so it is important that we manage Joe correctly and fairly, like I would anyone else in my changing room.
“Hopefully Joe will appreciate that, and his family will appreciate that. He has put his body on the line for us this season and we have six weeks left.
“There is no timeline until Joe is ready to go – same as Angus.”
Meanwhile, Flanagan has confirmed Wales international Rio Dyer will not feature after being given time to recover after his exploits with Wales in the Six Nations.
Dyer, 23, played in four games in the tournament – scoring tries against Italy and France.
“Rio has had a de-load week,” he added. “He has played an extreme amount of rugby this season.
“Every minute he has been available for us he has played for us, and he has played four out of five games for Wales.
“He is a young man, so we need to manage him. We have depth in that position, but we also have to do the right thing for Rio.
“We don’t want to break him in what has been a massive season for him.“
Ollie is also flying around, he is close. We have unbelievable depth in the back row, and it could change our options on the bench...
