NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are hopeful of having a clean bill of health when they kick-off their RaboDirect Pro12 campaign in September.

Full-back Dan Evans, prop Phil Price and lock Rob Sidoli are on the comeback trail and set to be in the mix for the curtain-raiser on the weekend of September 6.

The region’s squad are currently on a short break after returning for pre-season training and fitness tests on June 10.

They are yet to be joined by the Wales Under-20s quintet of Hallam Amos, Jack Dixon, Ieuan Jones, Elliot Dee and James Benjamin following their Junior World Championship heroics.

Andrew Coombs and Tom Prydie were also given a later start date after touring Japan with Wales while back row forwards Toby Faletau and Netani Talei have been on international duty with the Lions and Fiji respectively.

Argentine tighthead prop Tetaz Chaparro arrived in Wales on Sunday while South African lock Martin Muller lands later this month.

Full-back Evans underwent surgery on his left ankle but is set to be out of his protective boot next week and into rehab with a view to being in the mix for the season opener.

A lengthy lay-off was initially feared when loosehead prop Price ruptured ligaments in his left knee in training in March.

The 24-year-old went under the knife and had a clean out operation last month but is also targeting the first game.

And the same goes for 34-year-old lock Sidoli, who suffered a wrist injury in the first half of the last game of the season at Edinburgh.

The Dragons will, of course, be desperate to avoid any injury blows in their friendly fixtures.

Last year’s Rodney Parade victory over London Irish was overshadowed by flanker Darren Waters rupturing knee ligaments, an injury that meant he made just two regional appearances all season.