HEAD coach Kingsley Jones expects to be at the helm again for Newport Gwent Dragons in Cardiff Blues this weekend – but insists that director of rugby Lyn Jones' continued absence is down to illness.

Director of rugby Jones has not been involved with the Dragons since last Thursday, missing the stunning European Challenge Cup win at Gloucester on Saturday and a scheduled a Q&A with supporters on Monday.

He did, however, make an appearance at the Twickenham Stoop to watch Harlequins' team run for their Euro clash against London Irish.

Jones, who was a contender for the job as national coach of Canada, has not yet reappeared at the Dragons' training base in Ystrad Mynach and social media is rife with speculation about his future after a nightmare campaign in the Guinness Pro12.

But head coach Kingsley Jones has repeated the Dragons' insistence that the boss is ill and said he has been in contact with his long-time coaching partner.

"I said (after Gloucester) on Saturday that Lyn was sick. He sent an email to me and I can show that to you if you want," said the former Wales flanker at the weekly media day.

"I take him at his word and he is a friend of mine. Like everybody else I am hearing things, I spoke to Lyn on Saturday evening driving back from Gloucester and he texted me throughout the game.

"He is ill and he told me he has lost 4kg in weight – the lightest he has been in years! – and I take him at his word.

"He was off work on Thursday and Friday he told me he was sick. I don't do social media, tittle-tattle from elsewhere is horrendous. It's ridiculous and I tend to switch off to it.

"Honestly, Lyn is a friend of mine and I've spoken to him three or four times in the last few days and have an email from him apologising for not making work because he is ill.

"If he was in Harlequins on Thursday, you've got to take that up with Lyn. If he has got the Harlequins job he has kept that from me and I know nothing about that at all."

Kingsley Jones had the reins at Kingsholm and is set to be calling the shots for the Dragons' clash with Cardiff Blues in the capital on Sunday.

"I was hoping he would be back before the Blues game but I don't know (when he will be back). It looks like I will be in charge now," he said.

"Once I am in work, I just crack on and I haven't stopped since I walked through the door at 7.50am.

"We are a man short but I've got enough experience and, if I'm honest, it's more difficult for me to not to be the boss than be the boss with my personality!

"Lyn shares responsibility (with me) when we work together. We are a man down and it's extra work for me and Shaun (Connor, backs coach) while Richie Rees, who is with the academy, helped us with an extra pair of hands.

"I've spoken to Lyn about team selection and what's the best way to do things go forward with three big games coming up with Montpellier, Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets at Principality Stadium."