KINGSLEY Jones insists Newport Gwent Dragons are still looking up in the Guinness PRO12 despite a run of three pointless games.

Since beating Edinburgh at the end of November the Dragons have endured a 28-15 loss at Leinster, 27-16 defeat to Cardiff Blues in the capital and a 10-0 home reverse to the Ospreys.

They sit 10th in the table, four points ahead Treviso, three back on Edinburgh and six behind eighth-placed champions Connacht.

But with Treviso heading to Newport on Friday, head coach Jones believes the Dragons can get back on the horse and enjoy a battle with those above them in the second half of the season.

"We have Edinburgh just in front of us and Connacht are not miles away. We've got to keep looking up, that's what this region has got to do," he said.

"Connacht are a good side and are last year's champions but we have to aim to get up the league."

The Dragons' streak of five home wins on the spin was ended by the title-chasing Ospreys on New Year's Day but the boss is eyeing a strong January with Treviso followed by Enisei and Brive in the European Challenge Cup then Newcastle at Rodney Parade in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

"It's a huge month for us and started with a huge challenge. We came up short against the Ospreys but move on quickly and Treviso is another huge game for us," said Jones.

"We need to make sure we pay them the respect they deserve because they are a good side now and if we perform to that level we should be okay.

"Then it's Enisei and another chance to get a win at home. It would have been nice to keep our home run going but if we get positive results it sets us up to go to Brive with it all to play for in the Challenge Cup."

He continued: "The challenge for us is to bring a lot of what we brought against the Ospreys against teams below the top four.

"That consistency and some improvements will get a few wins. Against a team of that ilk, with the spine they have, it is a difficult challenge for us because that experience showed through. It was a clinical job by them."

Treviso head to Newport aiming for a first PRO12 win away from the Stadio Monigo since beating Zebre 26-16 in December 2014 –only two days better than the Dragons' miserable streak in the league away from Rodney Parade.

The Italians have won the last two meetings with Jones' side, taking the spoils 27-11 when the sides clashed in September thanks to tries by Tommaso Benvenuti, Marco Fuser and Filo Paulo.

'Mini league' rivals Connacht face the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday while Edinburgh have a weekend off because Munster travel to Paris for their Champions Cup date with Racing 92 that was postponed in October because of the death of coach Anthony Foley.