NEWPORT have received a pre-season boost with the news that captain Lee Beach will be out for a matter of weeks rather than months, writes Chris Kirwan.

There were fears that the back row forward would face a lengthy lay-off after suffering an injury to his left knee in the pre-season defeat to Moseley.

The 30-year-old is in a brace but scans revealed the extent of the injury is not as bad as it initially appeared and he will be out for four to six weeks.

“It was a relief when we got the results,” admitted head coach Sven Cronk. “It could have been worse but it is still a blow.

“Lee is going to be a big player for us this season and we will miss him. He was picked as a captain for a reason and will be hard to replace but that’s what we’ve got to try and do.”

Beach, who led Wales to Sevens World Cup glory in 2009, arrived from London Welsh this summer and was promptly named as skipper.

However, he will not get the chance to lead the Black and Ambers out when they get their season under way against Cross Keys on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

The rivals clash at Pandy Park in a British and Irish Cup play-off with the victors going on to face Bedwas at Bridge Field for the right to represent the Dragons region in the cross-border competition.

BLOB THE Friends of Newport Rugby will hold their third beer and cider festival at Rodney Parade in September.

The event on the training pitch will coincide with the Dragons' RaboDirect Pro12 clash with the Scarlets on Friday, September 20 and Newport's Premiership encounter with Llanelli the following afternoon.

There will be over 20 varieties of ale and traditional cider available and live music on both days.

The bars open at 3pm on the Friday and 11am on the Saturday with free entry to the site.