NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are wary of an ex sticking the boot into them when Jason Tovey returns to Rodney Parade with Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon.

The 27-year-old from Risca headed north on a short-term deal last March and his exploits in the Scottish capital earned a two-year contract.

Tovey's tally of 951 points in the most in the Dragons' history and he has already given his home region a kicking once before when playing full-back for Cardiff Blues in horrendous conditions at the Arms Park in 2012, producing a masterclass in positional play.

He declared when signing his initial Edinburgh deal that it would "be nice to be out of the bubble" in Wales and has relished his fresh challenge to become a fans' favourite at Murrayfield.

Tovey, who battles Scotland fly-half Duncan Weir for the 10 jersey, missed the start of the Guinness Pro12 season after suffering a fractured wrist in training but returned at the end of October and has helped Edinburgh to four wins in their last five.

The Dragons old boy is likely to be a key figure on his return home with backs coach Shaun Connor likening his left peg to that of Wales' match winner against Japan last weekend.

"Jason tended to play well at Rodney Parade, so I am sure he will be looking forward to coming back," said the former fly-half, who was a teammate of Tovey's between 2008 and 2010.

"He has been excellent for Edinburgh and is a player who probably needed the change to freshen up. Jason has always been a quality player and we will have to be wary of his kicking game.

"He kicks the ball as well as anybody in the league and is like Sam Davies in the way that he can manufacture kicks."

One of Tovey's infamous passport mishaps led to Angus O'Brien gaining a late call-up in the Dragons' European trip to Stade Francais in 2014. The Caerleon playmaker produced a stunning performance in Paris and his game has come on leaps and bounds this season.

O'Brien is flourishing thanks to getting more game time in the absence of Tovey's replacement, Nick Macleod (ankle), and Dorian Jones (groin) and backed up an excellent display in the Pro12 win against Connacht with a solid showing against the Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last weekend.

"Angus has been good for us," said Connor. "He was good against Connacht and was consistent versus the Scarlets. His kicking out of hand was very good and we are hoping that he can keep it going now."

Both teams are named at midday on Friday with the Dragons missing Wales lock Cory Hill while Edinburgh wait for news of Scotland's selection for Georgia on Sunday. Five of their players featured in the win against Argentina – prop Allan Dell, hooker Ross Ford, lock Grant Gilchrist and back row forwards Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury.