JASON Jones-Hughes makes his first appearance for over 14 months on Saturday when he plays for Newport against in-form London Irish in the Heineken Cup at Rodney Parade.

The injury ravaged Australian-born centre or wing, who won three caps for Wales in 1999-2000, has finally recovered from a knee injury which threatened his career.

He first suffered the injury at Swansea in April last year and attempted a brief comeback against Connacht last season when he broke down again.

Due largely to his own persistence, tracking down a top specialist in Sheffield, who successfully operated on him, and sheer hard work, Jones-Hughes is finally back in the big time.

He came through last Saturday's Cambridge University friendly without any problem and plays at outside centre alongside Andy Marinos.

The last time they played together for Newport was against Ebbw Vale in the semi-final of the Principality Cup on April 14 the season before last.

Jones-Hughes is not the only player making a return to the big time after a long absence.

Wales lock Ian Gough is back in the Newport pack after being out for the entire season with a back injury which also required an operation.

Gough also came through the Cambridge friendly without mishap and his return is timely because Mike Voyle has been ruled out with a minor back injury suffered in training this week.

Wales coach Steve Hansen said only 11 days ago that he would be interested in the return of Jones-Hughes and Gough. Now he has a chance to assess the pair.

Back in the Newport side are skipper Simon Raiwalui and prop Rod Snow, who played in the autumn internationals for Fiji and Canada, respectively.

Theere should be quite a battle at scrum half. Ofisa Tonu'u joined Newport from London Irish last season, leaving in somewhat acrimonious circumstances, while Darren Edwards made the reverse journey the year before.

The Irish have come into some real form after a disappointing start to the season, beating Zurich Premiership and European champions Leicester handsomely and only just losing to league leaders Gloucester last Saturday. They also lost by only five points in Toulouse.

Their talisman is, of course, centre and player-coach Brendan Venter, capped 17 times by South Africa.

Outside half Barry Everitt was the premiership's top scorer last season with 343 points, and he leads again this season with 165 in 12 games.

Wings Paul Sackey and Justin Bishop are playing so well that Springbok Pieter Rossouw can't get into the side.

Newport: S Howarth, M Mostyn, J Jones-Hughes, A Marinos, H Luscombe, J Strange, O Tonu'u, R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, G Gravell, S Ojomoh, J Forster. Reps: M Pini, L Nabaro, D Burn, C Anthony, P Young, M Veater, J Powell.

London Irish: M Horak, P Sackey, N Burrows, B Venter, J Bishop, B Everitt, D Edwards, M Worsley, N Drotske, R Hardwick, R Strudwick (captain), G Delaney, P Gustard, C Sheasby, D Danaher. Reps: K Barrett, M Mapletoft, J Cockle, A Flavin, S Halford, N Hatley, K Dawson. Kick off 2.30pm.