NEWPORT Gwent Dragons captain Lee Byrne will be sidelined until at least February after an operation on an injured shoulder.

The 34-year-old former Wales and Lions full-back, who signed from Clermont Auvergne last summer, has gone under the knife and will be out of action for three to four months.

Geraint Rhys Jones is set to deputise against Munster in the Guinness Pro12 at Rodney Parade on Friday.

Hallam Amos has been released from Wales duty and is also likely to feature but his fellow wing/full-back Tom Prydie will play no part in the autumn series after leaving the international squad because of a calf injury.

The Dragons will make a late decision on loosehead Boris Stankovich, who was forced off against the Ospreys last Friday after suffering a knee problem.