WALES half backs Gareth Cooper and Ceri Sweeney hope to be re-united for Newport Gwent Dragons next month. That would be a major boost in time for the Heineken Cup and the Dragons' first game in Europe this season against Castres at the Stade Pierre Antoine on October 22.

Cooper is making progress after an operation on his injured ankle last month and starts running on it in training today.

Sweeney visits a specialist this week along with other leading Welsh players suffering from nagging groin injuries and he hopes to be given the all-clear soon.

The Welsh camp have been bemused by the spate of groin problems suffered by a whole series of squad players - Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, Dafydd James and Sweeney - and have even consulted top football clubs about it where the issue is even more prevalent.

Now a specialist has been called in, with Sweeney hoping to make an early return after resting for another week or two.

"I've still got a bit of a problem and need more rest otherwise there is a risk of being out for the rest of the year," he said.

"But I'm still hoping I won't need an operation. Gavin's injury was much worse than mine."

Welsh team physiotherapist Mark Davies admits that the players concerned will be taking specialist advice this week, and the Welsh camp are waiting for the results.

"It's important to detect these injuries early," he said. "A few of the players will be having consultations this week." Cooper hasn't played at all this season after an operation on his longstanding ankle problem which has prevented him appearing for the Dragons since January 22.

Sweeney, meanwhile, is expecting to play at outside half for the Dragons when he does return, though Wales could use him at inside centre where he starred on the North America tour early in the summer, especially if Henson misses the November internationals.

The rest of the Dragons injury problems are clearing up, with forwards Steve Jones, who played the first half against Leinster on Friday, and lock Peter Sidoli expected to be available for Saturday night's first home league game of the season against leaders Ulster.

Nathan Brew, Richard Fussell and Chris Anthony are all on the mend and should also return next month while the Dragons are hoping Wales and British Lions number eight Michael Owen will be allowed to return for the home Powergen Cup game against Leicester a week on Friday.