Dragons duo set for long injury lay-offs

DRAGONS fly-half Josh Lewis and lock Brandon Nansen are both set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering injuries in the early weeks of the new season.

Lewis, 27, sustained a serious knee injury in preparation for the new league campaign and has now undergone successful ACL reconstruction.

The Merthyr Tydfil-born back – who scored 128 points in 22 games last season – has commenced his rehabilitation programme and is anticipated to return to sport in six to nine months.

Nansen, 25, suffered a fractured forearm in the first half of the pre-season fixture with Scarlets at Rodney Parade last month.

The Samoa international has undergone corrective surgery and is now expected to be ruled out of action for the next three months.

But on a positive note, fit-again back row Harrison Keddie could be set for a playing return in the Guinness PRO14 clash with Zebre Rugby on Saturday in Italy.

Keddie did not feature in the league opener away at Munster after picking up a sternum injury in the pre-season Celtic Cup fixture with Cardiff Blues A.

However, the dynamic forward has now returned to full training to give the squad a boost before they jet to Italy.

“It is a real positive with Keddie – he is definitely in the mix,” said backs coach Barry Maddocks.

“His ball-carrying ability and the energy he brings on the field is exceptional, and he is an exceptionally good leader for us who leads by example. He will travel to Italy.”

While Keddie is set to push for a starting spot, Maddocks revealed the squad was set for trio of late fitness calls with winger Ashton Hewitt having had 14 stitches in deep cut sustained in the Munster defeat.

“Ashton had a really nasty cut right underneath the nose. He has been stitched, but it will be a sore area if he does play,” said Maddocks.

“He has gone to make a tackle and a boot has come up and caught him. It was totally accidental, but it is pretty nasty one.

“Jack (Dixon) went off with an injury at Munster, so we are looking after him at the moment and he is making decent progress.

“Hopefully he will be involved this week, so positive news in that sense.

“Ollie (Griffiths) is similar and he is touch and go.”

Meanwhile, Ospreys expect to be without centre Cory Allen and lock James King for the trip to face Leinster in Dublin on Friday.

King was helped off with a seriouslooking shoulder problem, while Allen suffered a knee injury in last week’s defeat against Ulster.

“They’ll definitely be out mid-term. I can’t speculate on the injuries as they’re going through scans,” said coach Allen Clarke.

King’s injury means the region have lost three locks in a week.

“Bradley Davies, who got called up to Wales, James King and Will Griffiths [are missing],” added Clarke. “It’s a real stretch on the squad.

“We’re really thin, we’re in a position where we have to reinforce the squad to have enough substance to compete.”

Ospreys have confirmed one signing, though, with South African scrumhalf Shaun Venter moving to the Liberty Stadium.

Confirmation had been delayed by gaining international clearance.

“Having completed the deal in July, it’s been an extremely frustrating wait for both Shaun and the club,” Ospreys general manager Dan Griffiths said.

“He has, however, been a quality performer in both Pro14 and Super Rugby and we are delighted to finally add him to the squad.”