CENTRE Jack Dixon has his sights trained on the Dragons' 12 jersey after losing his spot in midfield because of an injury that had him wondering whether there was a sniper in the stands.

The 23-year-old from Newbridge made a strong start to the season with his summer shape leading to boss Bernard Jackman raising the possibility of him getting back on the Wales radar.

Dixon, a member of the training squad for the last World Cup, started an inside centre for the opening four games of the Guinness PRO14 but suffered a blow in the opening stages of the Rodney Parade win against Zebre.

"At the start of the season I felt the best I have in ages and then I just got a bit of a stinger and nerve damage in my neck," he said.

"Usually you just get a knock and have a bit of a tingling sensation down your arm but this time I felt like somebody in the stand had shot me!

"It was quite bad but settled down quite quickly. It was in the first five minutes but I got to half-time and that was me done.

"It was irritating me in contact so I just had to take a back seat for three or four weeks. It's all good now."

Dixon returned to action at Ulster and Connacht but had to settle for appearances off the bench after Jarryd Sage impressed in his absence.

The South African, who qualifies for Wales through his father's Newbridge roots, endured a tough first campaign in European rugby but now looks to have found his feet and scored tries in the losses to Northampton and Ulster.

Dixon captains the Dragons against Russia in Bedwas tonight (kick-off 7.35pm) and is one of the senior figures aiming to impress.

The centre is set to bring up a century of appearances in the return of the PRO14 against Edinburgh in Newport on Sunday, November 25 and wants it to be as a starter.

"Jarryd has slotted in very well so I have got my work cut out to get back in the 12 jersey," said Dixon.

"There are a lot of boys fighting for starting spots against Edinburgh so it's a big chance to get back into the XV. Everyone is looking forward to it."

Dixon has played in three encounters with Enisei-STM, including the infamous hammering in Krasnodar, and expects a brutal clash with the Bears, who are led by his former boss Lyn Jones.

"We don't really know much about them but they must be a good outfit to qualify for the World Cup and Lyn Jones is a really good coach," said the centre.

"From the way that Enisei play, they are big boys and if you don't match them physically then you are in for a tough night.

"But this week we have had a short period of time training together as a team, so we are just going to go out there with a licence to play. Hopefully we can throw the ball around a bit."

It is also a return to Bridge Field for Dixon, who made 12 appearances for the Principality Premiership club while coming through the Dragons academy.

"I had a good few games there," said Dixon. "Bedwas is a good club and they looked after me, so I will enjoy going back."

Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s. There is limited seating on a first come, first served basis.

Dragons: C Penny, D Howells, T Hoppe, J Dixon (captain), D Smith, J Lewis, R Davies, R Bevington, R Lawrence, A Jarvis, J Davies, R Landman, H Taylor, B Fry, J Benjamin. Replacements: E Shipp, G Ellis, C Coleman, J Thomas, L Greggains, D Babos, E Lloyd, L Smith.