THE Dragons hope that Ollie Griffiths will make his return to action in their crunch Guinness PRO14 clash against Edinburgh a week on Sunday.

The 23-year-old back row forward has been sidelined since suffering a hip injury in the European Challenge Cup loss to Northampton on October 19.

Griffiths made a superb start to the season but narrowly missed out on selection for Wales’ autumn squad and suffered an injury blow just days after being overlooked by Warren Gatland.

The flanker was sidelined for the league losses against Ulster and Connacht but is targeting the clash with Edinburgh, which would boost the Dragons pack in the absence of Wales back row forwards Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright.

Lock Matthew Screech, who suffered an ankle injury in Belfast, and fly-half Arwel Robson, who suffered the same issue at Glasgow in September, are also in contention for the Edinburgh clash depending on how they respond to training.

The Dragons host Russia in Bedwas on Friday night before the vital encounter with the Scots at Rodney Parade.

Loosehead Ryan Bevington is back from concussion to be available for the clash with the Bears but Bridge Field has come too soon for Samoa lock Brandon Nansen (concussion) and back row forward James Sheekey (wrist), even though they have returned to training.

Wing Jared Rosser is targeting a return against Leinster on December 1 after suffering a hamstring strain in the loss against Northampton while there is no target date for Gavin Henson as the experienced fly-half continues to receive treatment on his troublesome knee.

The Dragons are also without wings Ashton Hewitt and Rio Dyer (both shoulder), utility back Zane Kirchner (knee), centre Tiaan Loots (pectoral muscle), centre/wing Calvin Wellington (bicep), fly-half Jacob Botica (quad) and loosehead Josh Reynolds (hamstring).