ELLIOT Dee has returned to light training with Wales ahead of the autumn internationals after suffering a neck injury at a collapsed scrum playing for the Dragons last weekend.
The 27-year-old needed lengthy treatment after staying down after a 32nd-minute set piece against the Stormers at Rodney Parade last Friday.
Medics called for a stretcher before the 40-times capped front rower was able to walk from the field.
Dee is one of three hookers in the Wales squad and will battle with Ken Owens and Ryan Elias for places against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia.
The Dragons front rower started all three summer Tests while Owens was on Lions duty but is playing catch-up for a spot against the All Blacks a week on Saturday because of the injury blow.
"Elliot has been around the squad and joined in units on Thursday morning," said Owens. "He is on a limited and slightly different programme to the rest of the boys because of what happened but he is in good spirits and chewing everybody's ear off!"
Owens started all five of the Six Nations fixtures after missing the 2021 Autumn Nations Cup through injury but insists he has a fight for the 2 jersey.
"They are great players in their own right. Elliot has started the season very well, as has Ryan, and they have come here hitting the ground running," said the Scarlets man, who has won 82 caps for Wales and five for the Lions.
"It's a great place to be having that quality at hooker continually challenging you and making you a better player.
"The three of us have got a really good relationship and we keep helping each other and pushing each other."
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