NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have been given a boost with wing/centre Adam Hughes back in training after his head injury – while Wales speedster Hallam Amos is making his first steps towards a return.

Hughes has not featured this season after suffering a blow in the friendly against Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade in August.

The 26-year-old returned last season from a spell in England with Bristol and Exeter and was an influential figure, making 25 appearances in midfield and on the flank.

While the Dragons are still adopting a cautious approach, they are hopeful Hughes will soon add another option at outside centre to go with Tyler Morgan, Adam Warren and Sam Beard while providing depth on the wing with Kingsley Jones currently having Pat Howard, Ashton Hewitt and Tom Prydie as his only specialists.

Meanwhile, Amos has been doing some kicking with backs coach Shaun Connor as he recovers from the shoulder injury that he suffered attempting to score for Wales against Australia in the summer and scrum-half Charlie Davies is back in training after an operation on his left thumb.

"It's a massive lift for the whole squad to see players of that quality back out on the field doing a bit with us," said forwards coach Ceri Jones.

"We wish Adam the best with it and hopefully he can come through and get back as soon as he can while to see 'The Doc' (Amos) out there as well is lovely.

"Adam is not doing any collision stuff yet but he has been doing all of the run-throughs and skills, which is great to see."

The Dragons face a swift turnaround from their New Year's Day defeat to the Ospreys at Rodney Parade when they host Treviso on Friday night.

It has been a hectic schedule but the management are not going to make sweeping changes for the visit of the Italians, who have not won away from home in the league since December 2014.

"Up front we gave a pretty good account of ourselves so it will be a similar sort of group," said Jones.

He continued: "We were disappointed with our performance in Cardiff but against the Ospreys, apart from the defensive lapse for their try, it was a pretty good performance, especially up front.

"Our defensive lineout was excellent, we were 13 from 14 on our own ball and our scrum was good so from a forwards point of view they gave a pretty good account of themselves against a very experienced Ospreys team.

"It's going to be a big test up front again but the pack are in a pretty good place and I am hoping we will back that up."

The Dragons disrupted the Ospreys' lineout despite the towering presence of Wales and Lions star Alun Wyn Jones and the forwards coach paid tribute to the analysis team of Will Precious and Owen Griffiths.

"It's more down to hard work than anything else," said Jones. "The analysis boys do a really good job and Owen is superb with putting all of the clips together.

"The boys do their own homework, we practice it and execute it. It's a bit like NFL with block systems, movements and the players just have to try and get into your position quick enough, read the play and make the right call at the right time."

The Dragons name their team at midday tomorrow.