NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of their European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues with the imminent return to training of Tyler Morgan.

The 19-year-old wing/centre will return to full training with the Wales squad next week ahead of their Six Nations finale against Italy in Rome.

Morgan has not taken to the field since the win against Stade Francais on January 24 because of a posterior cruciate ligament problem.

The teenager from Caerleon first suffered a blow against the Ospreys in the second week of the season and his knee flared up again in November.

Morgan earned a place in Warren Gatland's squad with some stellar displays in January but the WRU national medical team deemed that he wasn't fit to play a full part in training.

He saw a knee specialist and the advice was for rest and rehabilitation. Now, as long as he doesn't suffer a reaction to full training, the bright prospect will be ready for the Dragons' run-in and is also relishing the chance to catch Gatland's eye.

"I can't wait to get stuck in next week and try and show a bit more of what I can do because I haven't been able to put my hand up for a place," said Morgan, who is on a national dual contract.

"I'd rather get my knee right now than have problems long term. I could have trained but they didn't want it to flare up again.

"It's been really frustrating coming in and having to sit on the sidelines but it's been good just being in the environment with Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams.

"I've been constantly learning. Their professionalism is up another level in terms of the way that they train, how they look after their bodies and their technical ability."

The news will come as a huge boost to the Dragons, who have been down to their last specialist centres in Ashley Smith and Jack Dixon.

The region travel to Treviso in the Guinness Pro12 on March 28 before their Euro derby.