HAL Luscombe is fighting to be fit for a major double in successive weeks - Newport Gwent Dragons' crucial Celtic League game against Borders at Rodney Parade on Friday night and Wales' Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield a week on Sunday.

Luscombe missed Wales' victory over France last Saturday with a hamstring injury which would also have given him time to recover from a damaged thumb and a knee strain.

He was due to resume training today and the Dragons are waiting on the outcome for the Borders game. He would slot in at outside centre, his favourite position, especially with Nathan Brew struggling with a recurrence of his ankle injury.

If Luscombe returns for Wales it will be on the right wing, the position he occupied against England and Italy and during the Autumn internationals.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas is out of Wales' final two games against Scotland Ireland as they step up their Triple Crown and Grand Slam bid which means another Dragon, Kevin Morgan will occupy the full back role.

That leaves Luscombe, if fit, and Rhys Williams battling for the right wing spot which the Dragon should win, though there is an outside chance of Matt-hew Watkins stepping in at outside centre and Tom Shanklin moving to the wing.

The Dragons are waiting to see if Luscombe will be released for the Borders game, as well as locks Ian Gough and Luke Charteris before they can name a side.

Charteris, who has suffered badly with injuries, damaged a foot early in the Ulster game, but has just resumed training. Hooker Steve Jones will miss the game because he will be needed as cover for Mefin Davies after Robin McBryde injured a knee against.

Definitely unavailable for the Dragons are Morgan, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper, Jones and Michael Owen.

"It's a huge game for us in view of qualification for next season's Heineken Cup, especially with Cardiff Blues facing a difficult game against Munster on Saturday, and trying to keep in the top four to ensure a home draw in the Celtic Cup," said team manager Jim Mcreedy.

The Dragons are 14 points ahead of the Blues with five fixtures left, so victory for them and defeat for their rivals this weekend will just about settle it.

Dragons from: P Montgomery, C Wyatt, H Luscombe, N Brew, S Winn, S Tuipulotu, J Bryant, B Breeze, C Warlow, G Baber, J Ireland, A Black, R Snow, J Rich-ards, G Robinson, R Thomas, C Anthony, I Gough, P Sidoli, L Charteris, J Ringer, R Oakley, J Forster (capt), M Veater. KO 7.05pm.