LENNON Greggains intends to repay the faith shown in him by the Dragons after ruptured knee ligaments left the flanker uncertain over his future.

The 20-year-old this week signed a long-term contract with the Rodney Parade region along with fellow bright prospects Taine Basham, Max Williams, Josh Reynolds, Connor Edwards and Dan Babos.

Greggains is relieved that a deal has been sorted after suffering a season-ending knee injury in August's Celtic Cup fixture against Connacht in Galway.

The back row forward had been eyeing a breakthrough campaign on his return from a second successive World Rugby U20 Championship with Wales but instead was sweating on his Dragons future.

South Wales Argus:

"The new deal is a big positive. There was obviously a little bit of uncertainty for me with the knee injury," said Greggains, who has five regional appearances and can play blindside or openside.

"Getting the new deal, and Dragons keeping faith in me, is a boost and means I can concentrate on my recovery without the doubt.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be staying for another couple of years. I've come through the academy system, have been here since I was 15 years old and there is nowhere else I want to be than the Dragons.

"I love the environment, feel I can achieve something special here and I'm glad they've put their faith in me. Hopefully I can repay that faith and really kick on."

Greggains, one of the Dragons' Newport High School Old Boys contingent, intends to look on the bright side and use the year off to pack more of a punch.

"It's important to look forward and I've had a lot of support and people telling me to stay positive and make the best of a bad situation," he said.

"It was a big season ahead for me so it's hugely disappointing what has happened, but you can't dwell on it.

"I'm going to try and get myself as big as possible, ensure I am more powerful and get back next season better than ever."

South Wales Argus:

The road to recovery will, however, be a long one with Greggains literally making small steps after going under the knife.

"The knee is getting there slowly. It was a tough first few weeks, with not being able to walk at all, but a month on I finally feel like I am making progress," he said.

"I'm getting stuck into the rehab programme with the staff and doing some work in the gym. It's slow progress, but it's important not to rush it and come back better.

"At the moment my rehab is about getting my quad activating and looking to get the swelling down.

"There is not too much I can do early days, but as the weeks go on I am slowly bringing more work in and trying to get the bend back and the strength.

"I'm lucky that we have some great staff here who have been a huge help and have reassured me along the way about the journey back.

"It's bad what has happened but we you have to focus on the road ahead and stay positive."