THE Dragons have a treatment room full to the brim with bruised and broken bodies but centre Jack Dixon says that won’t stop them flying into Cardiff Blues in the capital tomorrow.

Head coach Bernard Jackman revealed on Tuesday that he won’t have much of a selection dilemma for the first derby of the season – whoever is fit will feature.

The Dragons had an incredible 29-man injured list at training on Tuesday with just 25 players available in training at their Ystrad Mynach base.

It has hindered preparations for the Guinness PRO14 encounter at the Arms Park with the squad unable to run through their team defence as planned on Tuesday.

However, strong-running centre Dixon says that the 23 that get the call for the capital will be ready to provide plenty of oomph in their bid for a first league derby win since Boxing Day, 2014.

“They are always big occasions and at the end of the day physicality wins the day in derbies,” said the 22-year-old from Newbridge. “Whoever wants it more usually wins and we are looking forward to it.

“We haven’t had the best of records in the past but we are seeing this year as a fresh start for us all.”

Dixon has certainly profited from wiping the slate clean after a nightmare couple of seasons.

On his return from the Wales World Cup training squad in 2015 he suffered a career-threatening kidney injury during a pre-season fixture with the Scarlets.

That limited him to three appearances while last term was a stop-start affair in which he played 18 times but never really hit top form.

But under new boss Bernard Jackman he has been a key figure at inside centre with strong displays in the wins against Connacht and Southern Kings.

“I am happy with my start to the season after getting back into the 12 jersey and having a nice bit of game time,” said Dixon.

“I am pretty happy with the performances that I’ve put in so far so I am looking to build from now.

“I never really got out of the starting blocks last season to be honest and I was in and out of the side; I didn’t really know what was going on and couldn’t get going.

“This year I had a good pre-season, I am feeling fit and fresh so touch wood it keeps going as it has been going.

“I am really enjoying it, it has been a fresh start and all the boys seem to be really enjoying training and it’s been nice to get a couple of wins.”

Dixon’s start to the campaign has been aided by having a supreme game manager on his inside shoulder in Gavin Henson.

The centre says that the former Wales and Lions playmaker is relishing the role he has in the development of the Dragons’ burgeoning backs.

“Gav has come in and helped us out – he’s giving us pointers where we need them, in matches and in training. He’s been there and done it,” said Dixon.

“All the boys are learning from him and I have picked up a lot in the short time he has been here, I am enjoying playing outside him.

“You’ve only got to watch him in training and on the pitch in matches to see he’s got it and he will teach you along the way, he’s a great help.

“With a player like that you let them do their thing and just react to it. We’re still getting used to each other and the more we play together the better we will be.”