HARRI Keddie wants to be a big hitter for the Dragons as the back rower returns to the form that put him on the radar of Wales before injury misery.

The 21-year-old from Llanvaches has played three full games on the spin since recovering from a shoulder injury that needed surgery in September.

Keddie is starting to get back to full match sharpness and led from the front in last week's 15-15 draw against Guinness PRO14 title hopefuls Glasgow in Newport.

The number eight put in some telling blows against the Warriors and aims to pick up where he left off against Benetton Treviso at Rodney Parade on Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm).

"We've spoken about shifting momentum in defence and that if one person makes a big hit we have to back it up with another rather than conceding yards," said Keddie.

"There were times that did that against Glasgow and it was massive for us to not concede points in the second half when they had big men trying to batter away at us. We held up around the fringes really well."

The powerful back row forward was hoping for a strong season after enjoying a first full campaign as a professional in 2016/17.

But Keddie, who was invited to train with Wales' autumn series squad in 2016, suffered the injury blow in the third game of the season against Connacht.

He returned in the Anglo-Welsh Cup clashes at Saracens and Worcester before playing another full 80 minutes against Glasgow.

"It's been tough on the lungs and legs but I'm just about starting to get my match fitness, it's getting a little bit easier week on week," said Keddie.

"It wasn't too easy against Glasgow because they had a go from everywhere so there were times I felt tired and had to dig in like the rest of the boys."

Keddie has reaped the rewards of being pushed hard by new head of physiotherapy and medical services Ben Stirling at the Ystrad Mynach training base.

"The training was brutal, probably harder than training on the pitch at times," said Keddie.

"There were some weeks when I had to go in on a Saturday at 7am for a boxing session and 'Stirlo' is nuts, he nearly killed me off!

"But it was great and meant I felt confident when I got back out on the pitch, then it was just about picking up match sharpness."

Keddie had to lead from the front in all three games since his return after being named as captain by head coach Bernard Jackman in the absence of Wales lock Cory Hill.

"I wasn't expecting it, Bernard put the team up on the board," he said. "It was a bit of a shock but it's another learning experience.

"I've been picking up bits of wisdom from the likes of Zane and Rynard, who have been really helpful and have been calming influences.

"Hopefully I will pick up bits of learning and become a better player from seeing it from a different point of view rather than just playing."