Head Coach Dai Flanagan has backed Dan Lydiate to come back firing for the European double-header and festive derbies – after injury ruled the Wales international out of the tour to South Africa.
The 35-year-old missed a reunion with the Ospreys on Saturday after suffering a rib injury against Leinster.
The British Lion was making his first Dragons appearance in a decade after returning to the club in the summer.
However, a rib injury means he is not part of a 30-man squad that jets out to South Africa today (Tuesday) to face Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban and Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.
“Dan has fractured a rib and that is a six-week injury for a normal human being. I am sure he will be back quicker,” said Flanagan.
“He said that he did it early in the Leinster game and that he was pushing it in, and it was popping out, while he also dislocated a finger and put it back in when he was running. I’ve never seen anything like it!
“We’re looking forward to him coming back,” added Flanagan. “Dan was superb at the end of last season for the Ospreys. He looked like he has for Wales, like a player with a spring in their step and a new lease of life.
“His defence is unbelievable. The moment that sums Dan up was when we kicked off down the middle against Leinster and their number eight took a run up for him and he stood there, took it and went forward.
“He dislocated his finger in one of the tackles, put it back in and ran off. That shows the character of the person.”
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Dan has fractured a rib and that is a six-week injury for a normal human being... I am sure he will be back quicker...
