DRAGONS centre Tyler Morgan faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring strain in training while playmaker Gavin Henson has been sent to see a specialist over a persistent knee injury.

Morgan, who turned 23 today, went down in training ahead of Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Leinster in Dublin.

The Wales international from Caerleon will undergo a scan but the Rodney Parade region are hopeful that it is not serious and that the centre will be able to return in October.

Nonetheless, it is another blow for the four-times capped back who endured an injury-plagued 2017/18.

He suffered an ankle injury against the Ospreys last October, just after being recalled to the Wales squad, and then fractured his foot in training after making his return in February.

Morgan, who signed a new two-year deal with the Dragons in April after previously being on a national dual contract, was then diagnosed with type one diabetes, which can lead to lower body injuries.

The four-times capped three-quarter returned to partner Jack Dixon in midfield in the opening two rounds of the Guinness PRO14 but will now watch on from the stands.

“Hopefully it will only be three to four weeks,” said head coach Bernard Jackman. “It’s disappointing for him but it is a low grade two strain then it’s a hell of a lot better than the other injuries that he has had.

“He will be back mid-October and there is a huge amount of rugby to play, that’s what we are hoping for anyway.

“Tyler was just getting game time and felt that he was starting to get comfortable again, but if it is a grade two then he will be back quickly and hopefully he will get a good run.

“He was disappointed but he is getting used to these things now and knows it is part and parcel of being a professional rugby player unfortunately.”

Adam Warren, who was an unused replacement against Benetton and came on at the death against Southern Kings, will start at outside centre against Leinster on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).

Other midfield options for Jackman are South African Tiaan Loots, a summer recruit from RGC 1404, Jarryd Sage and Connor Edwards, who has been captaining the A side.

Wales wing/full-back Hallam Amos could also be considered at 13, a position that he played at age-grade level.

Henson, meanwhile, will miss at least another round of action because of his troublesome left knee.

The 36-year-old Wales and Lions fly-half suffered a blow in pre-season against Ealing but was able to start in the season opener against Benetton only for the knee to flare up again.

“It hasn’t settled down the way we would have liked,” said Jackman. “It’s round three this week and we can’t afford to have one of our players constantly getting treatment on an injury like that.

“Sometimes it blows up, you get the fluid out and it settles down but for him it’s come back and he is seeing a specialist.

“It doesn’t seem to be really serious but if we don’t manage it properly now then it’s one of those injuries that could become a constant issue for him. We can’t afford to take any risks.”

Props Leon Brown and Ryan Bevington are not training at the moment because of shoulder injuries but are expected to be available for Dublin.