DRAGONS centre Tiaan Loots will make his long-awaited return to action tomorrow when he runs out for Cross Keys at Swansea (kick-off 2.30pm), more than four months after picking up the injury that has blighted his first season in regional rugby.

The South African was playing for the Dragons A team in a Celtic Cup game against Connacht Eagles last September when he injured a pectoral muscle that has kept him out since.

“Having Tiaan should be a big boost for us,” said Keys head coach Morgan Stoddart.

“Tiaan and Dafydd Lockyer were the best centres in the Premiership over the last two seasons, that’s why the Dragons signed him.

“He picked up the injury early in the campaign which isn’t ideal in your first season in regional rugby.

“He just needs to get some game time with us and then hopefully he should be pushing for a place in the Dragons team.”

Keys welcome Loots into a side striving to avoid relegation from the Principality Premiership.

They occupy the first safe position in the bottom half of the table, four points above Bridgend and 14 adrift of Swansea.

In Swansea, they face a team who at one stage earlier in the campaign looked certainties to be involved in the fight to survive.

However, seven wins in the last eight has seen the St Helen's outfit surge clear of the danger zone – they also won at Pandy Park in September.

“Hats off to Swansea,” added Stoddart. “They got out of a sticky situation by putting back-to-back wins together and playing some good rugby.

“They’ve had some players from the Ospreys drop down to help them out, and that has obviously made them a lot stronger.

“They’ve been playing a good brand of rugby and have been tough to score against, so it will be a big challenge for us with them in such good form.”

Keys will look to bounce back after last Saturday's National Cup exit.