NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are down to one specialist lock after Adam Jones’ season was ended by an ankle injury.

There is good news on the horizon with captain Luke Charteris close to a return to action following his post-World Cup wrist surgery, potentially against Munster at Rodney Parade on Saturday week.

But with Jones joining his skipper and Scott Morgan (chest) on the sidelines, the Dragons will be forced to once again field a makeshift second row partnership in Sunday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash at Aironi.

Rob Sidoli and back row forward Jevon Groves joined forces in last weekend’s much-needed win against Edinburgh and will start at the Stadio Zaffanella.

Jones, 32, suffered a blow to his right foot in January’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat at Perpignan.

He was able to feature against Cavalieri Prato seven days later and was then given a three-week rest.

However, the problem returned in the second half of the Dragons’ defeat to Ulster in Belfast and he will undergo an operation this week.

"It’s a huge blow because we started the season with four international second rows and now we are down to one," lamented head coach Darren Edwards.

"It is such a shame because Adam has been playing really well and I would say that he has been one of the stand out members of our team.

"We have lost a very good player and it will have a huge impact on us."