NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Paul Turner is getting ready for a major clear-out as the management hold contract talks with a large number of players.

Turner (pictured) has entered the crucial second half of his first season back 'home' and has not been happy with the situation either on or off the field.

He has inherited a Dragons squad which has been short of strength in depth and lacking quality in certain positions while off the field he has been inhibited by an inability to make real progress.

The situation may be changing to a degree and Turner now feels he can start sorting his squad out with an eye on next season especially with only final Celtic League positions and Heineken Cup qualification to resolve.

"I've got 20 players coming out of contract, so it's my chance to move players out who haven't got a future here and mould my side together," he said.

"It's an opportunity to keep the ones I want and move others on, it's the same for every coach.

"At the moment we're doing the best we can with what we've got. We've been hit a lot by injuries, but I'm really proud of the players especially Gareth Chapman who is playing well and did really well for his try against Connacht.

"We are in discussions with players, but we've got to keep the season afloat by challenging for a Heineken Cup place next season. And we've got to learn to close games out."

The league programme is now on hold for three weeks while the Dragons fulfil their remaining two Heineken Cup pool matches this season at English Premiership leaders Sale on Sunday (1pm) and at home to Castres the following Saturday (5.15pm).

The Dragons can't qualify having lost all four games with only one bonus point obtained at Castres to show for their efforts.

But a defiant Turner said "We've still got a few scores to settle and there's a lot of pride at stake like there was at Thomond Park against Munster when we left two British Lions and an international on the bench.

"It's by no means a dead situation," - an indication Turner will go for his strongest possible line-up in the remaining two games to try to salvage something, though ominously Sale rested a number of key players yesterday against Bristol when they won by just two points.