THE Dragons have confirmed the signing of centre Steff Hughes on an initial short-term deal.

The 28-year-old has been training with the Rodney Parade club and was involved in pre-match preparations for Sunday’s United Rugby Championship win against Munster.

He has now been registered and can feature if needed against the Sharks tonight should there be any late drama with starting centres Jack Dixon and Sio Tomkinson or replacement Max Clark.

Hughes left the Scarlets in the summer after making over 100 appearances for his home region, occasionally captaining the west Walians.

The ex-Wales Under-20s skipper will now battle with Dixon, Tomkinson and Clark for action in the absence of injured duo Aneurin Owen and Cory Allen.

“He is unattached at the moment without a club and when someone of Steff Hughes’ quality comes around [it makes sense to bring him in],” said Flanagan last Sunday.

“We have injuries at centre and the three that played against Munster are the ones that we have got fit.

“To have Steff around the group in training doesn’t just help him, it helps the Dragons.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with him since he was 18 and if somebody like him is out there and we have the opportunity to tap into his intel and IQ then we have to bring him in as injury cover.

“He has the ability to see space and hit space, to move the ball and his work rate matches Jack and Sio’s against Munster, when Max came on and showed he has a big future as well.

“If Steff was to play for us due to injury then he gives us the option to go like-for-like.”

Owen could return before the end of the first block of the URC after a hamstring injury while doubts remain over the future of Allen, who hasn’t played in three years because of a serious knee injury.

The former Wales centre was signed to continue on the comeback trail and is back in full training, although the Dragons will adopt a cautious approach.