THE new season has yet to start but already Newport Gwent Dragons are overcome by injuries and as many as a dozen players are either out of tomorrow night’s friendly against Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium or are doubts.

The problems are at their worst in the centre and at scrum half where three players in each position are on the injured list, some of them fresh and others still hanging over from last season.

Ashley Smith and Matthew Watkins are long term absentees in the centre and they have been joined by Rhodri Gomer Davies who injured a calf muscle against London Irish last Saturday.

That leaves Tom Riley as the only fit contracted centre of any experience, likely to be joined by on-trial player David Bishop against the Blues with coach Paul Turner desperate to avoid any other injuries.

At scrum half Wayne Evans damaged a knee against London Irish, deputy Nicky Griffiths suffered a slight shoulder injury and Danny Lee, having recovered from a shoulder operation last season has now injured a calf doing some road running.

Up front lock Rob Sidoli (calf) and flanker Gavin Thomas (achilles) are still not fully fit and won’t be risked against the Blues while Toby Faletau (foot) is out for another six weeks or so, fellow back row forward Andrew Coombs has got a knee injury and Wales lock Luke Charteris still isn’t 100% after damaging his neck last season.

On the brighter side Dan Lydiate is likely to start against the Blues after recovering from an ankle injury while wing Will Harries, yet to start a pre-season game because of a groin injury, will probably have a half as well.

Scrum half starlet Jonathan Evans, who came through a baptism of fire straight out of school in the final game of last season against the Ospreys, could make the step up again tomorrow night.

If it’s any consolation for Turner, Connacht coach Eric Elwood, in charge for the first time after replacing Michael Bradley, revealed at this week’s Magners League launch that they will also be without some key players for the first league game of the season against the Dragons at the Sportsground in Galway a week on Saturday.

Irish squad players full back Sean Duffy, hooker Sean Cronin and back row forward and captain John Muldoon won’t be able to play and experienced flanker Jonny O’Connor is sidelined for months after suffering three fractures to his lower back.

Turner is wary of tomorrow’s game from an injury perspective. “We could probably do without it, we just hope we don’t pick up any more problems,” he said.

“But we’re still in good shape and it’s been a good summer, but it’s how you start and the attitude going into the first game that counts.”

Skipper Tom Willis added, “It’s another pre-season hit on Friday, it’s a step in the right direction for the first league game.”