LOCK Cory Hill is desperate to grasp another chance to impress against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup on Friday as the battle for starts in Newport Gwent Dragons' previously depleted second row hots up.

The Rodney Parade region have endured an injury crisis with locks Hill (ankle), Andrew Coombs (knee), Joe Davies (shoulder), Matthew Screech (shoulder) and Ian Gough (shoulder) all sidelined.

It put a heavy burden on impressive new South African recruit Rynard Landman and meant that James Thomas, who signed a professional deal in the pre-season after catching the eye with Bedwas, had to shift forward from his preferred back row position.

However, Hill, Coombs and Davies all returned in last weekend's 31-21 LV= Cup defeat to Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop while Thomas has taken his unexpected chance superbly.

Hill, who captained the Dragons in London, hopes that going from being down to the bare bones to having a selection dilemma can help fire up the struggling region's season.

"We've had bad injuries in the second row, and to our centres as well, but you just have to get on with it and James Thomas came in and has done really well," said the 22-year-old. "That adds to the competition and it's going to be really healthy for the squad.

"Hopefully we'll have plenty of centres back as well as locks and that can help us build against the Ospreys to take us into Munster in the Guinness Pro12. Fingers crossed we can string a few wins together."

Hill had been out of action since suffering an ankle injury in the win against Treviso in September when he was taken out at a lineout and landed awkwardly.

He played the full 80 minutes against the Quins but was frustrated that it wasn't a winning return after a 21-8 half-time lead slipped from their grasp.

"I was back much quicker than I thought and it was nice to be back and get game time under the belt in a tough game against a strong English outfit," he said.

"But we went to the Stoop for the win and there were a lot of disappointed players in the changing room afterwards. We looked decent in loose play but our discipline killed us in the second half.

"We need a heavy week building into the Ospreys at the Brewery Field. I am sure we will have a few more back from injury and the boys will be raging to get into them."