NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have received a boost with the news that outside half Ceri Sweeney does not need a groin operation. The Welsh international visited a specialist yesterday with Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies and the outcome was positive.

The only proviso is that Sweeney does not break down again, otherwise he would need an operation. Sweeney won't be fit for Saturday night's Celtic League game against Ulster at Rodney Parade, but he will return for the home Powergen Cuptie against Leicester a week Friday or for at Northampton on October 8.

His only appearance for the Dragons this season was as a second half replacement in the first league match against Glasgow.

The Dragons have played down the significance of any request to the Wales management for the early release of Michael Owen.

The Wales and British Lions number eight must undergo a 10-week conditioning period after the Lions tour to New Zealand which doesn't end for another fortnight.

The Dragons say they have merely discussed the possibility of an early release for Owen to play against Ulster and that no formal request has been made to the WRU.

"We haven't made a formal request at the moment, but we are monitoring the situation," said rugby manager Jim McCreedy.

The Dragons have fitness concerns over locks Ian Gough who suffered a facial injury against Leinster, Luke Charteris who injured a calf muscle and Peter Sidoli with a damaged elbow while newcomer Bryn Griffiths has a stress fracture of the foot.

But the Welsh management are unlikely to offer anything other than sympathy, for if they release one Lion ahead of schedule, they will have to agree to release the rest.

WRU fitness chief Andrew Hore admits he sympathises with the Dragons. "I can understand their situation, but if we want to improve in Europe and internationally the boys need to prepare properly," he said today.

"New Zealand have pulled their players from the NPC Championship in preparation for their Grand Slam tour. We have got a structure in place so that we become the best we can.

"There are so many groin injuries at the moment, is that because of players overplaying?

"Only three Lions would be able to play this weekend anyway as Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins (shoulder), Tom Shanklin (knee), Gareth Cooper (ankle) and Shane Williams and Gavin Henson (groin) are all injured, so it's a non-issue really."