WINGER Mike Poole’s hopes of pushing his way into the Newport Gwent Dragons fold have been dealt a blow after he injured himself on an overseas tour.

The 24-year-old, who has signed a dual-contract with Newport and the region, ruptured his knee ligaments playing for Crawshays in Hong Kong.

Poole is going under the knife today and is going to be out of action until 2011.

His injury is a real hammer blow for the Black and Ambers as the Penarth-born left winger is one of their key figures.

Poole often sets the tone in both attack and defence while he has flourished over the last two years in terms of crossing the whitewash, scoring 35 tries in 49 appearaces.

“It’s a blow for us but it’s a real shame for him, because I think the Dragons would have been surprised by what he can do when they saw him at close quarters,” said head coach Sven Cronk.

Newport, who start pre-season training next Tuesday, have cover on the flanks in the shape of Adam Hughes, Gareth Chapman, Alan Awcock and Matthew Pewtner.

However, wingers Nathan Williams and Ryan Owen, who made 16 and 15 appearances respectively last season, are no longer with the club.