NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will have to balance the books if they are to add to their squad for the coming season.

The Rodney Parade region have already been busy in the recruitment market, bolstering their squad with seven new players.

Hooker Rhys Thomas, prop Tetaz Chaparro, lock Martin Muller, back row forward Netani Talei, scrum-half Richie Rees and fly-halves Kris Burton and Jason Tovey are on the way.

The Dragons have only slightly increased their budget from last season and are still £500,000 beneath the regions’ self-imposed salary cap.

New director of rugby Lyn Jones did say when he was appointed that he would look to strengthen his squad year-round.

“People think you get your signings done by April and that’s it,” he said last month.

“That’s not the case, it (the transfer market) keeps moving around for 12 months of the year and people will always come in and leave.

“That’s the best way so you are always improving your stock, you’re keeping people sharp.”

If the Dragons are to bring in fresh blood then they would need to get some of the current crop off the wage bill.

It comes amid rumours of the Dragons targeting a return for old boy Ian Gough, who left in 2007 for the Ospreys.

The 36-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Liberty Stadium with James King and Lloyd Peers, both 22, impressing and Wales Under-20s prospect Rhodri Hughes next in line.

However, Gough will still be needed at the start of the campaign given that Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans are still in Australia with the Lions.

Another barrier to any potential move is that second row is not currently a priority with Wales squad member Andrew Coombs, former internationals Rob Sidoli and Adam Jones, Ian Nimmo and new South African recruit Muller on the books.