NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are set to be without star speedsters Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt in Italy on Saturday – but the wingers could return in the Judgement Day clash with the Scarlets.

Amos has been out of action since suffering a shoulder injury when attempting to score against Australia in November.

The 22-year-old is close to a return but this weekend’s Guinness PRO12 encounter with Zebre in Parma is likely to come just too soon.

The Dragons are waiting for the green light from the Welsh Rugby Union about when the dual-contracted wing will get back out in the middle but are hopeful of him providing a timely boost against the play-off chasing Scarlets at Principality Stadium on Saturday week.

Hewitt will also hope to press his international claims in the regional double-header after being out of action since New Year’s Day with concussion.

The uncapped 22-year-old from Newport was forced to pull out of Wales’ Six Nations squad and is being put through the return to play protocols by the Dragons medical team.

Head coach Kingsley Jones admits that his side have struggled to replace the game-breaking abilities of their wing wizards.

He said: “Unfortunately we have had to live without Hallam and Ashton and that’s something we’ve missed. Not only have we missed Taulupe Faletau (after his move to Bath) but Hallam and Ashton.

“We’ve got good guys out there in Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Tom Prydie, but are they really out-and-out wingers?

“You need ‘goal scorers’ because games at this level are always tight and one or two players, particularly on the edge of the field, can make the difference.

“If you can create one-on-one opportunities then Hallam and Ashton will take them more often than not. We’ve missed that.

“I know that Hallam is champing at the bit and wants to get on the field but it’s important that he is 100 per cent. In non-contact training he is tearing it up and brings it up to another level.”

“Ashton is a bit slow with his progress, but he is progressing. Seeing him around the place I am not worried,” continued Jones.

“He is laughing and is himself but returning to play is the next step; Adam Hughes had a similar situation (earlier in the season) and has made a full recovery.”

The Dragons have a headache at scrum-half for Zebre with Sarel Pretorius (hamstring) joining Tavis Knoyle (wrist) on the sidelines, leaving them down to one senior 9 in Charlie Davies.

They must mull over involving 19-year-old Owain Leonard, a player of potential, or they could use Hughes or fly-halves Angus O’Brien or Dorian Jones as makeshift scrum-halves with full-back Carl Meyer covering 10.

Loosehead prop Sam Hobbs (wrist) is also a doubt with Phil Price and Thomas Davies vying for the number 1 jersey.

The Dragons have not won away from Rodney Parade since beating Treviso in March, 2015 while Zebre head into the clash buoyed by a shock 25-22 win against champions Connacht.