NEWPORT Gwent Dragons star Tom Prydie is delighted to have young centre Jack Dixon back in the starting XV for tomorrow’s Guinness Pro12 clash with Zebre because it means he can stay at fullback.

Prydie has been forced to fill in at centre due to the Dragons’ injury worries this season but he admits that he’s much more comfortable in the back three.

And Dixon’s return from a wrist injury means Wales squad member Prydie gets another start in his preferred position against the Italians at Rodney Parade.

“I like to play anywhere across the back three,” said the 22-year-old, who became the youngest ever Wales international back in 2010.

“Obviously I’ve featured a lot at centre this year because of injuries and I’ll play wherever I’m needed.

“It’s good to have another string to my bow and it shows I can cover there for the Dragons but I don’t see myself as a centre.

“I see myself playing predominantly in the back three and that’s where I want to play.

“I’m probably more comfortable on the wing but I enjoy playing at 15 as well. I played there last week for a few minutes before I had to move to the centre.”

Tomorrow’s clash is the start of a big three weeks for Lyn Jones’ men with home and away derbies with the Blues to come on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and the trip to Swansea to play Ospreys on January 11.

“They are three massive games for us and if we can get a few wins then we’re in much better shape before the Ospreys game,” said Prydie.

“We felt very unlucky not to win the Glasgow game and the confidence has been building since then really.

“Everyone is playing well now and the confidence is up through Europe so it’s about bringing that through now into the Guinness Pro12 and trying to climb the table.

“No disrespect to Bucuresti – the standard is not as high as in the Pro12 – but we played well and I think everyone is looking forward now to trying to bring that form into the league.

“It’s a big block of games for us as a squad coming off the back of two good wins.

“We’ve really targeted these four games and we want to try to bring that European form through against Zebre.

“We need to get back on the winning road (in the league) and build up some confidence going into the Welsh derbies.”