GARETH Cooper has joined fellow Newport Gwent Dragons ace Michael Owen in suffering from a back problem after Wales training this week.

Cooper's back also stiffened up and though it is not as bad as the injury suffered by Owen, it still makes him doubtful for the Dragons for tonight's Celtic League game against Borders at Galashiels.

The dynamic scrum half, with 20 caps to his name, left with the rest of the Dragons party for Scotland yesterday and a decision on whether he can make it against the Borders will be delayed until shortly before kick-off. Gareth Baber, the Dragons vice-captain and a regular last season, is standing by.

Owen is due to have a scan on his back today amid fears that the injury is a recurrence of the disc problem which forced him to miss last year's World Cup. If that proves to be the case he will be out for months rather than weeks and he would miss not only the Dragons'

Heineken Cup early matches but also Wales' November internationals against South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and Romania.

The Dragons, anxiously waiting for medical reports on Owen, are privately furious at the way these injuries were caused during weight sessions in the Wales training camp this week.

Another player standing by tonight is Ben Breeze, who is yet to make an appearance for this season.

Nathan Brew has got a hip injury while it may be a bit early to rush Hal Luscombe back after damaging his shoulder in Glasgow three weeks ago.

Both players have gone to Scotland with the Dragons, but if neither is fully fit Breeze will step in. Anderson, meanwhile, insists nothing less than a win will do against the Borders.

The Dragons will climb to second in the table with a game in hand if they achieve their fifth successive victory and leaders Neath-Swansea Ospreys beat second-placed Leinster at St Helen's, also tonight.

Anderson wants to come away with the points to maintain momentum ahead of the Dragons' opening Heineken Cup test against Jonny Wilkinson's Newcastle at Rodney Parade a week tomorrow.

"We've got to keep the momentum going and I'd be upset if we didn't come away with the points against Borders," said Anderson. "Anything less than a win is not acceptable.

"We need to be professional in our approach and go in against Newcastle on a high and on a positive note.

"We can't get complacent. This is a scary trip because if you don't have the right attitude you can throw away the points."