NEWPORT Gwent Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt “should be in the mix” for the visit of Leinster on Friday, according to head coach Kingsley Jones.

If Hewitt is involved in the Guinness PRO12 clash it will be his first taste of action since the New Year’s Day defeat to the Ospreys at Rodney Parade.

The 22-year-old, released by Wales earlier this month after reporting to the squad’s Vale of Glamorgan HQ with signs of concussion, played a full part in Dragons training on Tuesday.

He is set to do the same again on Wednesday and Jones is hopeful the speedster can finally return following the injury problems that have kept him out for more than seven weeks.

“Ashton should be back in the mix,” said the Dragons chief. “He has trained really well today but I’m not 100% sure where he’s at in his (return to play) protocol stages.

“He’s taken full part in training today so I think he’ll get assessed again and he should be fine.”

His inclusion in Rob Howley’s Six Nations squad last month represented a first Wales call-up for Hewitt – and Jones is confident his time on the international stage will come.

“Life is about timing and it’s a pity for him, but I’m sure he’ll get another chance,” he added.

“He did the same last year. He worked really hard and had a bump before the New Zealand trip.

"It’s happened again but let’s just hope he comes back for us and regains that form.

“There’s a summer tour so let’s hope he finishes the season well.

“He’ll be a welcome addition for us. He certainly gives us X-factor and these games are so tight that just a little of what he can bring will hopefully make a difference.”

Jones is also hopeful scrum-half Tavis Knoyle and centre Tyler Morgan will recover from ankle knocks for Friday’s match.

Meanwhile, Jones revealed that while Hallam Amos could be a few weeks away from a comeback following shoulder surgery, a new signing is imminent.

“Hopefully we will announce a new signing next week, followed shortly by a couple more,” he said.

“We’re not bringing in a raft of players but we hope we’re bringing in players that will make us better for next season and help our young squad climb the table.”

And, when asked about Nick Crosswell and Tom Prydie, who it was reported last week were not being offered new deals, Jones confirmed there is “nothing on the table at the moment”.

“Nick Crosswell has been outstanding for us but he’s an overseas player, and that’s a difficult one," he continued. "If we are trying to recruit in other positions we feel that comes into the equation.

“They are both outstanding men, they are good as gold, work hard, and the way they played the other night was great.

“We’ll see over the next few weeks but the answer is that the door is open for those two guys.

“The truth is, they know where we’re at and that could change in the next two or three weeks."