EBBW Vale outside half Dai Langdon will miss the first three months of the Premiership campaign after fracturing his patella in three places as the Steelmen brought their pre-season preparations to an end, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 18-year-old is set to go under the knife after picking up the nasty knee injury during the Steelmen's 33-11 loss to Coventry on Saturday.

But after seeing a specialist in the Midlands it may not be as long a lay-off as was first feared, with the start of the second half delayed as they waited for an ambulance to take him f rom the field.

"It happened just before the break and it's such a shame because he was having a fantastic game and that was as good as I think I've seen him play," said head coach Pat Horgan.

"There was nothing malicious in it, he just fell awkwardly on hard ground when making a tackle - he wasn't smashed by any means.

"It's disappointing for Dai but it doesn't sound like it will be a huge wait for him and he will be back for us before the end of the year and will be back challenging for selection for Wales Under-20s."

It is the latest injury blow to hit Vale, who will also be without skipper and flanker John Bowd (knee), forwards coach and lock Will Thomas (hamstring) and experienced second row Neil Edwards (calf) for the season opener with Swansea at the weekend.

But it is the outside half position that is of the most concern for Horgan, with last season's regular pivot Sam Mills having headed west to Llanelli.

Jamie Howell, a summer arrival from Bargoed, and utility back Aaron Bramwell, Vale's try scorer in the defeat at Butts Park, will be the players trying to make the most of the opening.

l Cross Keys won a fiery encounter at Bridgwater and Albi 19-5, running in tries from scrum half Owen Jones, centre Nathan Preece and hooker Lloyd Burns.

Newport found the going slightly easier in their conditioning game with Newport High School Old Boys, touching down ten times in a useful encounter.