WALES hooker Elliot Dee believes ending the Dragons' derby drought against Cardiff Blues tomorrow will make their critics sit up and take notice.

The Rodney Parade region have targeted a win against their fiercest rivals in Newport (kick-off 5.15pm) to end a 21-game losing streak in the Guinness PRO14.

The Dragons have enjoyed a pair of Anglo-Welsh Cup successes against the Scarlets but their last notable derby win was the famous European Challenge Cup triumph against Cardiff Blues in April, 2015.

That came three months after their PRO14 success in the capital on Boxing Day when Dee was a leading figure, scoring from one driving lineout and then guiding another towards the line for a penalty try.

Since then it has been nothing but misery for the Dragons against the Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys and the squad know that they have to change the record.

"It's been a while and when I look back beating the Blues at the Arms Park is one of the highlights of my career," said Dee, who established himself as Wales hooker Ken Owens' deputy last season.

"It would be a great to get a win at Rodney Parade and repay the fans. We sat down at the start of the season and mentioned what would be big for us.

"We talked about the first derby game, especially with it being against the Blues on our own patch. A win would kick us off and give us the confidence for the next block of fixtures.

"We have come under a bit of fire and it's hard to change peoples' perceptions straight away, but we can see what is happening in-house.

"A win against the Blues would help us to change peoples' minds and paint us in a better picture.

"Derby day is one of the biggest days of the year, there is that extra bit of heat playing against boys that you know and want to get one over on. You are playing for the region's pride.

"We have split the season into blocks and have targeted the first six games, we are still within reach of achieving our goals."

Dee is set to return to the starting line-up with Richard Hibbard on the bench as long as the former Lions hooker is passed fit after suffering a knee injury in Glasgow last week.

The 34-year-old arrived from Gloucester in the summer and has formed a strong combination with Dee, who at the moment has the starter role with Hibbard adding impact.

"There is no point in trying to have a competitive team if you don't have competition within the squad," said 24-year-old Dee.

"Hibbs is a great player with so much experience – he has done everything that you can do in the game – and it's good for me to have him in and around the environment. None of us can get complacent, we are always pushing each other.

"He has come into the group and been a great leader, when Hibbs talks the boys listen. He says the right things at the right times and gets a reaction."

The teams are named at midday with Dee and fellow Wales forwards Cory Hill, Ollie Griffiths and Ross Moriarty set to return to the XV.