SPEEDSTER Ashton Hewitt will wing his way back into Newport Gwent Dragons’ starting line-up for Friday’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Treviso with boss Kingsley Jones hoping he reproduces the form that put him on Wales’ radar.

The 21-year-old from Caerleon enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2015/16 and his livewire performances out wide saw him named as Argus Dragon of the Year.

Hewitt missed the end of the campaign after suffering a shoulder injury and underwent surgery, meaning he missed the first three games of the Pro12 against Ulster, Zebre and Munster.

The speedster has proved his fitness playing for Newport in the Principality Premiership and will slot in out wide against Treviso at the Stadio Monigo (kick-off 7.05pm).

Head coach Jones will take the opportunity to rest Pat Howard, who has done well with two tries in three games since arriving from Northampton in the summer, and hopes Hewitt can find the sort of display that he believes caught Warren Gatland’s eye.

“Pat has been excellent but Ashton is a real threat and has done his bit to get back playing with Newport,” said Jones.

“He is ready to go and is chomping at the bit, we feel he brings something different and will look to get him back involved.

“Last season was such a good year for him and he was possibly unlucky not to go on the Welsh tour, he was going that well.”

Jones will make a change on the right wing but is going to stick with his hooker after Rhys Buckley’s strong display in the 20-16 loss to Munster.

“Rhys Buckley deserves an opportunity again because he did really well against Munster. He took his chance and needs to be rewarded for that,” said the head coach.

“You’ve got to or you lose the boys (who have not been regular starters) and you need them. Players respect that even though they are left out, Rhys Thomas understands and Elliot Dee will be back in the near future and will fighting for his place not just thinking he can walk into the team.”

James Thomas is set to make a first start of the season at blindside flanker in place of captain Lewis Evans, who has been suffering with illness and a tight calf.

Geraint Rhys Jones will back up Angus O’Brien as Nick Macleod has not recovered from the ankle problem he suffered in the pre-match warm-up against Munster.

Jones’ younger brother Dorian, also a 10, is hoping to make his comeback from a groin problem in the Principality Premiership this weekend.

The Dragons name their team for Treviso at midday on Thursday.