FORMER Ebbw Vale and Wales captain Kingsley Jones returns to Steelmen colours tomorrow night against Neath (7pm) hoping to catch the eye of the Welsh management.

Jones, 32, last played for Wales in 1998, but has been out of the Welsh frame since having played and captained Gloucester and Worcester, but returned to the Principality this summer by signing for Pontypridd.

But he has struggled for a game, with Richard Parkes dominating the Ponty number seven shirt, and has been turning out for Cross Keys this season on permit.

Vale coach Mike Ruddock has drafted in Jones because flanker Tyron Morris is banned after being dismissed against Caerphilly and he hopes the ex-national captain can ease the pressure on Paul Williams, who has been heavily involved.

Jones has been named in Vale's starting XV, but this will be a very different return for him to the Gnoll.

The last time he was at Neath was as a radio commentator and he found Vale's 34-7 defeat difficult to stomach as the Steelmen were found wanting in defence, missing a staggering 38 tackles and were blown away by half-time.

But Vale have spent the week working hard on their defence and, in Jones, they have a dynamic forward who is keen to work out his frustrations having been denied Premier League rugby at Pontypridd.

He said: "It's frustrating for me. I came back to Wales to try and play at the top level. I'm getting on a bit but I still have aspirations to play for the national side."

Ebbw Vale: R Davies, R Shorney, N Wakely, M Ridley, A Takarangi, M Meenan, B Shelbourne, A Black, L Phillips (capt), M Jones, O Booyse, P Sidoli, R Williams, K Jones, K Tuipulotu. Replacements: S Mitchell, A Bevan, K Gay/D Penisini, J Evans, W Thomas, C Billen, P Williams.

* An Ebbw Vale development XV will play Brynmawr away next Friday (7.15pm) and Llanelli in a friendly at Eugene Cross Park (2.30pm) on Saturday November 30.