Locks Ian Gough and Luke Charteris have both reported fit for Newport Gwent Dragons for Saturday night's first home Celtic League game of the season against leaders Ulster.

That removes the need for the Dragons to even consider asking the Wales management for the early release of Michael Owen after his involvement for the British Lions in New Zealand this summer.

Not that a formal request was ever made, it was just a question of what the Dragons might do if the two locks were ruled out, as well as fellow lock Peter Sidoli, who is named on the bench against Ulster but remains a slight doubt because of an elbow injury.

"There was no formal request to play Michael and there was no dialogue with the Welsh Rugby Union," said rugby manager Jim McCreedy.

"We had a potential injury situation and it was a question of, what if we had lost a few players? all of which is totally against what has been said in some quarters. There is no issue whatsoever on this between us and the union."

Gough had to go off twice against Leinster in Dublin last Friday after suffering a cut near the eye, re-opening the second time and causing some blurred vision.

Charteris suffered a slight calf strain, but, like Gough, has recovered, and both took a full part in training yesterday.

Also fit again is outside-half Craig Warlow, who went down with a stomach bug in Ireland and withdrew a few hours before kick-off against Leinster.

He returns in place of young Aled Thomas, who did well once he had settled in his Dragons debut at such short notice.

Ceri Sweeney, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Argus, will not need an operation on his injured groin after visiting a specialist on Tuesday.

"The injury is settling down, and if things continue well he should be available for the Powergen Cup-tie against Leicester next week or against Northampton the week after," explained McCreedy.

"But if there is a recurrence of the injury, then possibly he would need an operation then."

Apart from the return of Warlow, there is one other change among the backs, with Jon Bryant returning at inside centre for Sione Tuipulotu, his strength against physical opposition a useful bulwark.

"It was a tough call as Sione does things for you, but Jonny is a solid performer whose defence is good and we'll be looking to him to combat Kevin Maggs," explained coach Paul Turner.

There are four changes up front, one positional. Adam Black returns at loose head, and the back row is remodelled, with skipper Jason Forster and number eight Richard Bryan both recalled and Jamie Ringer reverting to blindside.

Andrew Hall and Rhys Oakley both revert to the bench, eight players named depending on the fitness of Sidoli.

Hooker Steve Jones, recovered from a knee operation starts again with Andrew Brown of Newport on the bench, as is James Ireland for the first time this season, also after a knee operation.

The Wales Under-21 scrum half came through unscathed after a second-half appearance as a sub for Cross Keys in their rout of Llanelli last week.

Dragons team: K Morgan, G Wyatt, H Luscombe, J Bryant, L Hinton, C Warlow, G Baber, A Black, S Jones, R Thomas, I Gough, L Charteris, J Ringer, R Bryan, J Forster (captain). Replacements from: S Tuipulotu, A Thomas, J Ireland, D Maddocks, A Brown, P Sidoli, A Hall, R Oakley. Kick-off 5.30pm.