ASHTON Hewitt has expressed his frustration that problems with concussion have scuppered his Wales hopes but is concentrating on coming back firing for Newport Gwent Dragons next season.

The 22-year-old from Newport hasn't played since the New Year's Day defeat to the Ospreys at Rodney Parade.

Hewitt was selected by Wales for the Six Nations thanks to some livewire performances but had to withdraw from the squad after suffering signs of concussion.

The uncapped speedster would have been in with a shot of making his Test bow on the summer tour to face Tonga and Samoa in the absence of Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and George North.

But, despite playing an active part in training, Hewitt has been unable to return for the Dragons and is now eyeing a return in pre-season.

"It's going well and I am making progress constantly, it's just about that last hurdle now," said the winger.

"Four months seems like a pretty long time, especially when you can't see the injury, but I am making progress and I'm confident that I will be back next season.

"It's been a frustrating time with ambitions for the summer but it is what it is and I've got to take advantage of my time off now and make sure I am 100 per cent for next season.

"It's about taking advice from the right people and doing all my rehab, which is going well. I'd rather not take the risks and make sure I am 100 per cent, which I am sure I will be for next season."

Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones said last month that Hewitt was still having headaches but is confident that the wing will follow the lead of Adam Hughes, who enjoyed a strong end to the campaign after having five months out following a concussion in pre-season.

The Dragons have missed the game-breaking abilities of Hewitt and Hallam Amos, who has not played since injuring his shoulder attempting to score for Wales in the Test defeat to Australia last November.

The 22-year-old was close to a return against Cardiff Blues on Saturday – "I'm almost there, if the game had been a week later I would have hopefully been on the pitch" – and Wales must now weigh up whether to include the dual-contracted wing/full-back in the Test squad or give him a summer off.

The Dragons will hope that the duo are on their flanks in September after a tough season in which they scored 38 tries in 22 Guinness PRO12 fixtures. Only Treviso had a worse tally.

"You need 'goal scorers' because games at this level are always tight and one or two players, particularly on the edge of the field, can make the difference," said Jones at the start of April.

"If you can create one-on-one opportunities then Hallam and Ashton will take them more often than not. We've missed that."

Interim Wales head coach Robin McBryde names his squad for the summer tour on Tuesday with a warm-up conditioning match against RGC 1404 being played in Colwyn Bay on Friday, June 2.