CAPTAIN Lewis Evans says the Newport Gwent Dragons players are focused on the job of a strong Guinness PRO12 run-in amid the talk of the Welsh Rugby Union's proposed takeover at Rodney Parade.

The governing body last week announced that they had reached a heads of terms agreement with the Dragons board to take control of the region and buy Newport RFC's historic ground.

The deal needs to be ratified by shareholders of the Black and Ambers at an EGM next month with Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell stating last week that the only alternative is "disaster".

Newport and Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies faced a grilling at a lively meeting of Black and Ambers supporters on Monday night and the issue will overshadow the final furlongs of the season.

Captain Evans, who became the first player to notch 200 Dragons appearances last weekend, says they have to put that uncertainty to the back of their minds.

"We've just got to do our job on the field. Whatever goes on up top, hopefully it moves in the right direction," said the 29-year-old, who is also on the coaching team at Newport RFC.

"I've signed for three more years so I certainly hope that we get some positive news and there are other youngsters here who are up and coming stars.

"For the future of Welsh rugby, for the future of Newport and Dragons rugby I just hope that some positive and good decisions are made.

"Until something gets sorted above we've just got to get on with our jobs and be optimistic and hopeful. Whatever goes on off the field we will leave to the bigwigs."

The Dragons do not play this weekend because for the first time since 2014 they are not involved in the knockout stages of Europe.

They return against Guinness PRO12 bottom club Zebre in Parma a week on Saturday with Evans demanding they hit the levels that pushed title contenders Ulster hard last Friday.

The star-studded Irish province needed a late charge to take the spoils 27-17 after the teams were level with 73 minutes on the clock.

After shipping 15 tries and 101 points in damaging losses to Leinster and Glasgow, the captain believes the squad got some pride back.

"The one thing that we demanded of each other before the game was spirit," he said. "We'd let ourselves down in previous weeks but the attitude and effort was certainly there, it was just the execution.

"The performance was much better, and I am immensely proud of the boys, it was just that accuracy and execution. Playing against a side like Ulster one or two errors will be punished."

The Dragons are yet to win away from home this season and have trips to Zebre and ninth-placed Edinburgh remaining while the have 'home' games against the Scarlets at Principality Stadium and Cardiff Blues in Caerphilly.