CAPTAIN Lee Byrne appears to have run out of time to feature in Newport Gwent Dragons' European showdown with Cardiff Blues, writes Chris Kirwan.

The region had hoped that the 34-year-old former Wales and Lions full-back would feature in Saturday's Guinness Pro12 encounter with Treviso.

However, he has not recovered from the shoulder injury that he suffered against Newcastle last October and will not be in the squad for the encounter at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo (kick-off 7.30pm).

Byrne, who has made just six appearances since his summer move to Rodney Parade from Clermont Auvergne, has been registered in the European squad along with hooker Rhys Buckley and back row forward Nick Crosswell.

But director of rugby Lyn Jones said that a potential semi-final away to either London Irish or Edinburgh was in mind rather than the home clash with the Blues a week on Saturday.

"Lee's recovery has plateaued somewhat and the next couple of weeks are important for him," said Jones, who also said that wing Aled Brew is also still sidelined.

"We had a space left (in the European squad) and there are potentially three rounds left in this competition so we wanted to give him opportunity to get fit."

Openside Ollie Griffiths is in the travelling party for Treviso and could feature after catching the eye as the star of Wales Under-20s' Six Nations campaign.

Flanker Nic Cudd, one of the standout players of the Dragons' season, has had a scan on a neck injury with James Benjamin, 21, set to continue in Italy.

Tyler Morgan, an unused member of Wales' Six Nations squad, is fit to feature on Saturday after being troubled by a knee injury along with his fellow centre Pat Leach (knee).

"We are now reporting somewhere near a full-strength side at last," said Jones. "Our injury situation is reducing and this Treviso fixture couldn't have happened at a better time to get people up to speed for the Blues."