THE Dragons will make late fitness decisions over key trio Ashton Hewitt, Jack Dixon and Ollie Griffiths for their bid to end their long wait for a Guinness PRO14 away win at Zebre on Saturday.
The Rodney Parade region travel to Italy tomorrow to start preparations for this weekend's clash at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (kick-off 5pm).
The clash in Parma, against a Zebre team that propped up the PRO14 last season, is a golden opportunity to end the embarrassing 45-game streak without victory on the road in the league that stretches back to the success at Treviso in March, 2015.
Wing Hewitt, centre Dixon and flanker Griffiths will all travel but will need the all-clear from medics after being forced off in the 39-9 loss to Munster on opening weekend.
Hewitt needed 14 stiches on a horror cut beneath his nose after being accidentally caught by the boot of opposite number Darren Sweetnam when making a tackle.
The 24-year-old, who was making his first competitive appearance after 17 months out with a shoulder injury, has a badly swollen lip and is a major doubt because another bang would risk re-opening the wound.
Dixon lasted just 14 minutes in Limerick after suffering a blow to the shoulder but the signs are encouraging that he could return to midfield in Parma.
Flanker Griffiths, who had been to the fore with his dynamism in defence and attack, was forced off in the second half after a groin problem.
"Ashton had a really nasty cut right underneath the nose after a boot to the face. He has been stitched but it will be a sore area if he does play," said backs coach Barry Maddocks.
"He went to make a tackle and a boot has come up and caught him. It was totally accidental, but it is pretty nasty one.
"Jack went off so we are looking after him at the moment and he is making decent progress. Hopefully he will be involved this week and we will keep an eye on it, so it's positive news in that sense.
"Ollie is similar and he is touch and go. We've kept them off their feet because the turnaround is pretty quick, with us leaving tomorrow.
"The three are in the mix but we have to monitor the next 24 hours and make calls."
The potential blow of losing Griffiths would be softened by the return of back row forward Harrison Keddie.
He has been out since landing awkwardly on his chest in the Celtic Cup loss at Cardiff Blues at the start of September.
"His ball carrying ability and the energy he brings on the field is exceptional, and he is an exceptionally good leader for us who leads by example," said Maddocks.
The Dragons are still without Samoa lock Brandon Nansen with no indication of the extent of damage a fortnight after he left the Rodney Parade pitch clutching his right arm.
"There is nothing on Brandon. He had a bump against the Scarlets and is still not quite in the mix at the moment," said Maddocks.
"It was a little bit of an arm injury and the medics are looking at it and seeing what should be the next step."
However, the news is more forthcoming on wing Jared Rosser after he suffered a pre-season leg injury.
"Jared may be a week or so away, although we don't want to force it," said Maddocks. "He trained exceptionally well in pre-season but had a knock.
"It's making sure we don't force him back too early. We need him to last the season because he will be a pivotal player."
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