NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Pat Leach will make his first appearance of the season against London Welsh on Sunday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since suffering knee ligament damage in the pre-season win against Northampton in Ebbw Vale.

His recovery has been a slow process but director of rugby Lyn Jones has confirmed that the influential centre will feature in the LV= Cup against the Exiles, while loosehead Boris Stankovich could also feature after three months on the sidelines with a knee problem.

"Pat will be involved and that's really good news while we are hoping that Boris will be as well, but with him we need to make sure it's the right decision and will make that later this week," said Jones.

Hooker Elliot Dee is still nursing the shoulder injury that forced him off in the European Rugby Challenge Cup win against Stade Francais a fortnight ago but wing Matthew Pewtner could make his return after a fortnight out because of a blow to the head in the win against Newcastle.

The management team are weighing up their approach for Sunday's game.

They rang the changes for last Sunday's 37-32 defeat to Exeter and it is likely that they will once again give fringe players and youngsters the chance to impress.

However, the Dragons also have one eye on the return of the Guinness Pro12 with a daunting trip to Dublin looming.

"We've got an eye on Leinster but also on development," said Jones. "We need to see people play and make decisions on them for next season."

The Dragons are already out of contention for the semi-finals of the Anglo-Welsh competition even if Gloucester lose to Harlequins, Bath are downed by the Ospreys and Saracens fail to register a point against Exeter.

Sarries lead Pool One on 12 points and if the Rodney Parade region can match that tally with a bonus point win against London Welsh they will lose the head-to-head on group stage victories (three to two).