WALES captain and number eight Michael Owen has been left out of the Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Northampton in tomorrow night's EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Rodney Parade.

But coach Paul Turner has included Owen's fellow Wales international and British Lion, scrum half Gareth Cooper after the pair returned from injury as replacements at Leicester last week.

Owen and Cooper, both out with shoulder injuries, Cooper for eight months, went on at Welford Road, but Cooper makes his first start for the Dragons since the Munster game in Cork on January 28 while Owen has to be content with a place on the bench.

Young Alex Walker had played at scrum half in all four league games this season, Gareth Baber stepping in at Leicester, while Nic Fitisemanu has played some barnstorming games at number eight and 84-times capped Colin Charvis and Joe Bearman have also added considerably to the Dragons' back row strength.

"It's great to have these boys back and they're chomping at the bit," said Turner. "I felt Nic Fitisemanu has been playing out of his skin offensively and gets us going forward, but Michael will have some game time."

The Dragons are now close to being at full strength, only USA Eagles pair Mike Hercus and Paul Emerick missing, back in America for their second World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

All the players Turner left out at Leicester are back - Gareth Wyatt, Ashley Smith, Ceri Sweeney, Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Peter Sidoli, Colin Charvis and Jamie Ringer all starting along with Cooper.

"We need to reward our supporters, I think we're building something here and some wins will boost confidence. Every win we have starts the wave," said Turner.

But one player out for the next six months is hooker Steve Jones, who needs an operation on his damaged shoulder.

His loss is a blow but Turner said, "Because of our recruitment in the summer when we pick up injuries now we've got cover. It's better Steve gets it done now so that he will hopefully be back when the season hots up."

Australian Ben Daly starts against Northampton with Kieran Crawford on the bench. Bearman is also out, suffering continuing discomfort from his hip.

Team: K Morgan (captain), G Wyatt, N Brew, A Smith, A Brew, C Sweeney, G Cooper, A Black, B Daly, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, C Charvis, N Fitisemanu, J Ringer. Replacements: K Crawford, L Harrison, L Charteris, M Owen, A Walker, C Warlow, R Fussell. Kick off 5.30pm.