IAN Gough has recovered from a shoulder injury to bolster Newport Gwent Dragons’ second row for Sunday’s Guinness Pro12 derby with the Scarlets, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 37-year-old missed the games against Glasgow and Treviso after suffering a heavy blow early in the second half against the Ospreys.

However, he is back in full training and will provide a timely boost for the trip to Llanelli for a Dragons squad that is struggling in the second row.

The region is currently without Andrew Coombs, who has a week left on his suspension for stamping, as well as shoulder injury victims Matthew Screech and Joe Davies.

Cory Hill started against Treviso but was forced off after being taken out at a lineout and his ankle injury is still being assessed.

Gough and Landman are the only specialist locks in the squad for the Scarlets with lock/back row James Thomas, who came off the bench against Treviso, set to back them up from the bench.

“Ian is an old warhorse and as you get older you realise the difference between pain and long-term injury,” said director of rugby Lyn Jones.

“He has recovered sufficiently to play and we are delighted to welcome him back because he brings experience of going down to Parc y Scarlets and winning and that’s important. Ian instils confidence and gives you reassurance.”

Gough will slot in next to Landman and Jones is delighted with how his South African recruit has performed in the opening month of the season.

“Rynard has grown in the role and is very popular in the squad,” said Jones. “He has settled down and is enjoying himself, although he may have a different attitude when the rain comes and the dark nights pull in!”

Loosehead Phil Price is expected to return to the squad in mid-October following summer surgery on his right foot, an injury that forced him to withdraw from Wales’ Probables versus Possibles trial at the end of last season.

Centre Tyler Morgan is making good progress after suffering a knee injury against the Ospreys and could return in mid-November.

Dragons squad: H Amos, L Byrne, G R Jones, B Nightingale, B John, A Smith, M Pewtner, A Brew, A Hewitt, T Prydie, J Tovey, A O’Brien, D Jones, L Jones, J Evans, R Rees, O Evans, B Stankovich, H Gustafson, E Dee, R Buckley, R Thomas, D Young, D Way, L Fairbrother, R Landman, I Gough, J Thomas, L Evans, N Cudd, J Benjamin, A Powell, T Faletau.