NEWPORT centre Jason Jones-Hughes (pictured) has suffered a major setback and his knee injury is likely to keep him out until next year.

He suffered the injury at Swansea in April and missed Newport's cup final triumph before finally returning against Connacht in the Celtic League this month. But he damaged the knee again and needs another scan and a further examination by a specialist.

The signs don't look good, Newport coach Ian McIntosh saying: "Jason may be out for quite a while. He's distraught and it's very sad. He's really down about it.

"He's got to have another scan. He thought he was close to playing again, but maybe he went on a bit too long against Connacht. One of the tragedies of rugby is injuries."

A disappointed Jones-Hughes said: "It's been five months and the first phase was rest, which hasn't worked too well.

"I landed on the knee against Connacht, now I'm counting the time to when I see the specialist, but it doesn't look like I'll be returning in the immediate future.

"I was hoping it would be right before the start of this season. I had rehabilitation here and in Australia and I've been working hard, now this."

Jones-Hughes has had a dreadful run with injuries since joining Newport two years ago after the furore about turning his back on his native Australia and coming to Wales, the land of his father.

His debut was delayed because of World Cup commitments with Wales, then he was out for four months with an ankle injury which put him out for the start of last season, and now he's down with a damaged knee.

It means his appearances for Newport in just over two seasons have been limited to 34. There is also pessimism over the future of scrum half David Llewellyn who, incredibly, has not played for 18 months.

He missed the whole of last season and is still not fit after a series of Achilles' tendon problems.

"He's been to see a specialist in London and it's not too optimistic," said McIntosh. Back row forward Alix Popham is expected to be out for another month with a broken bone in his wrist.

But Wales lock Ian Gough hopes to be back next week and certainly by the middle of October after being out with a damaged shoulder since the cup final. "I took contact for the first time this week. I could defend, hit people, scrummage a bit and I took some knocks," said Gough.

"I'll have a test with the physio at the Vale of Glamorgan today to see if the right shoulder is as strong as the left.

"Then it's all down to the surgeon on Monday whether he clears me. "There could be an outside chance of me returning against Toulouse next week, or it could be another couple of weeks."

McIntosh revealed former Wales lock Mike Voyle, brought hurriedly back from New Zealand to fill the gap left by Gough, is considering whether to stay on after his short-term contract.

"We're very fortunate to have Mike until November. He has filled a huge void," said McIntosh.

"We are negotiating with him for longer. The ball is in his court."