THE Dragons have suffered another blow in the back row with Harri Keddie ruled out of the Guinness PRO14 run-in with a toe injury.

The blindside/number eight was forced off in the opening stages of the loss to Ulster at Rodney Parade at the start of the month.

The 22-year-old from Llanvaches, who was captaining the side in the absence of Cory Hill and Richard Hibbard, ruptured the sesamoid bones in the big toe of his right foot.

Keddie, who had been in fine form since December, will have an operation tomorrow and be back for the start of pre-season training ahead of 2019/20.

It is another back row blow for the Dragons, who will also be without Ollie Griffiths and Nic Cudd for the remaining games away to the Ospreys, Southern Kings and Cheetahs and Judgement Day finale against the Scarlets.

South Wales Argus: INFLUENTIAL: Aaron Wainwright will be back from Six Nations dutyINFLUENTIAL: Aaron Wainwright will be back from Six Nations duty

James Benjamin is still struggling with a neck injury but on the plus side, Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright will return from chasing a Grand Slam with Wales while back-five forward Lewis Evans (calf) is targeting the trip to the Liberty Stadium.

The Dragons fielded Wales Under-20s internationals Taine Basham and Lennon Greggains along with blindside Huw Taylor in the clash against Ulster.

The young pair earned the praise of caretaker coach Ceri Jones for stepping up against the seniors and the 22-year-old summer signing from Worcester getting through a mountain of graft with 29 tackles on just his second Dragons start.

The injury news is more positive for ex-Ospreys Richard Hibbard and Ryan Bevington ahead of the trip to Swansea.

Prop Bevington has not played since the stunning win against his former region at the end of December because of a concussion but is expected to return out west.

Hooker Hibbard took part in the warm-up for Ulster before pulling out because of a rib problem but the former Wales and Lions forward is set for a return to training.