DRAGONS tighthead Leon Brown is seeing a specialist about the concussion that has kept him on the sidelines since November, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 21-year-old has not played since coming off the bench for Wales against New Zealand on November 25.

The prop, who made his Test debut against Australia in the autumn opener, suffered a blow to the head against the All Blacks and missed the win against South Africa the following weekend.

Brown has not played since and the Dragons, who signed Nicky Thomas on loan from the Scarlets to back up Lloyd Fairbrother, are not estimating when he will return to bolster their front row.

"Leon is on the mend but all the players with concussion we treat incredibly cautiously," said head coach Bernard Jackman. "He went to see a specialist two weeks ago and his next appointment is in the middle of the month."

The loss of Brown means that captain Cory Hill is the sole member of the Dragons' five-strong Wales contingent to be fit, and the lock has been troubled by a back problem this week.

Centre Tyler Morgan was forced to pull out of the autumn squad because of an ankle injury suffered at the Ospreys in the final game before the series. He underwent surgery.

Full-back Hallam Amos suffered a similar ankle problem against Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day and faces a race to be fit for the Six Nations. Wales medics are waiting to see if the 23-year-old, who played all four autumn Tests, needs to go under the knife.

Hooker Elliot Dee, who won caps against Georgia and the Springboks, suffered a concussion in the closing stages against the Ospreys on New Year's Eve and must go through the return to play protocols.

"You're saying 'wow, we've got four players to come in' but by the time we play the Ospreys only two are starting and then this week it's only one," lamented Jackman.

"Ollie Griffiths, who wouldn't be far away [from Wales selection], is out as well, so it's tough but we've got to man up and get on with it."

The Dragons name their team to face the Scarlets at midday but their lengthy injury list – and a 19-game derby losing streak in the league – means they are huge underdogs.

"The pressure is off," said Jackman, whose side lost to both Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys in Newport over the festive period. "We put a huge effort into those home games and didn't get the results we wanted.

"The Scarlets are ridiculously hot favourites so it's an opportunity for us to express ourselves and try and get some enjoyment out of it without real pressure."