NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are hoping Taulupe Faletau can overcome a blow to the knee to start Sunday's European Rugby Challenge Cup opener against Sale at Rodney Parade.

The Wales and Lions number eight suffered a knock in last weekend's Guinness Pro12 defeat to Ulster in Newport.

It is hoped that Faletau will be fit to start against the Sharks but if he doesn't get the green light then Lewis Evans, who struggled with a calf problem last week, is likely to return with New Zealander Nick Crosswell filling in on the bench after serving a three-week suspension for punching against Glasgow.

"We are aiming to go with a similar team to keep some continuity but there are one or two bumps and bruises," said head coach Kingsley Jones.

Captain and hooker Rhys Thomas is set to feature for the Dragons Premiership Select team at Connacht Eagles on Saturday after eight weeks out with a foot problem while wing Tom Prydie is nearing a return from the knee injury he suffered at Leinster in September.

The Dragons have scored just nine tries this season and failed to convert a number of promising openings in the 19-12 loss to Ulster, having to settle for a quartet of penalties.

"We just need to take our chances and it's more of a concern if you are not creating," said Jones.

"Ulster was one of those games that statistically was fantastic for us but the scoreboard was not the right way.

"We spent ten and a half minutes in their 22 but they were smart and we came away with three-pointers rather than tries. We didn't make the right decisions.

"We are not panicking because there are a lot of opportunities being created. We know that we have to be better to finish but we want to play with endeavour and were keen to play when we get to the halfway line.

"We are trying to be positive, this tournament was great for us last year and the first two games are key. We want to get off to a good start."

Jones spent seven years with the Sharks, helping them win the title in 2006.

Sale have made a good start to the Aviva Premiership with victories against Northampton and Worcester plus a narrow defeat at Harlequins last Friday when England ace Danny Cipriani was agonisingly wide with a late drop goal.

Jones expects his old side to ring the changes for their trip to Wales but isn't overly worried by who the men from Salford plump for.

"Ultimately it's about us, we want to continue our form from Ulster and make sure we cross the line," said Jones. "We are genuinely focused on ourselves."