EBBW Vale will be without influential centre Carl Meyer for Saturday's Principality Premiership trip to Aberavon but the Steelmen are relieved that the South African doesn't face a lengthy layoff, writes Chris Kirwan.

Meyer, who made his Dragons debut against Exeter in the LV= Cup, needed lengthy treatment on the pitch in the closing stages of Sunday's 10-0 loss to Cross Keys at Eugene Cross Park.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off with his right leg in an inflatable splint but scans have revealed that he has only suffered bruising on the bone.

"We are hopeful that Carl will be back for the Swalec Cup game against Pontypridd next week, which is a huge positive after we feared the worst on Sunday," said skills coach Nick Wakley.

"There is no break and thankfully it looks like just being a week rather than a long spell out."

The Steelmen missed out on the chance to strengthen their position at the head of the table by misfiring against Keys, who were worthy winners of a typically physical Gwent derby.

"We knew that Keys would attack us at the breakdown and they also did very well against us at the set piece," said Wakley.

"It was a frustrating performance but we've addressed it and the boys have knocked lumps out of each other in training because Aberavon will offer similar challenges.

"It's going to a very tough game and they will come flying out of the blocks against us."

Wakley, a former utility back with the Steelmen, was appointed as skills coach in December and has been joined in the management team by ex-Wales prop Ceri Jones, who has taken over as forwards coach after Duane Goodfield took up a role with the Cardiff Blues academy.

The pair have helped to keep Ebbw on track while Jason Strange doubles up with Wales Under-20s, although the head coach will be hot-footing it down from Scotland to be at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

"I am loving it," he said. "Me and Ceri are taking some of the strain but we are in constant contact with Jason.

"We have also been helped by the fact that there is such as established group of players here. They are a great bunch and are not only used to playing together but winning together."