IN-FORM back row forward Joe Bearman is set to sign a new three-year contract with Newport Gwent Dragons and qualify to play for Wales next year.

The 28-year-old Cornishman is also celebrating winning the Magners League player of the month for Wales award for the first time after a series of impressive performances for the Dragons.

He produced two man-of-the-match performances against the Scar-lets and Glasgow and is finally benefiting from a run of games after being affected by a hip injury for much of his first season with the Dragons.

In fact, he's still suffering from minor problems, which speaks volumes for the effort he's been putting in. He has got broken knuckles on both hands and next week goes into hospital for a double hernia operation, expecting to be back for the next league game against Ulster in Belfast on February 15.

"It's great to receive the award and the recognition for the Dragons team," said Bearman.

"I had a hip operation last year and I'm only just getting back into it by being able to play games and get a run.

"I'm close to signing for another three years for the Dragons, and I feel I've got a lot more to give yet. In another 18 months I would be qualified for Wales and I'd make myself available if asked."

Dragons coach Paul Turner said, "Joe has been outstanding. We had heard all about him at the Pirates and we knew when we signed him he'd be a quality player, but he's been disrupted by injuries.

"He can play all over the back row and it's even been mentioned to him that he could play on the wing. He's been tremendous especially over the Christmas period, he's probably been one of our players of the season.

"When we signed him qualifying for Wales was part of the plan. Joe was asked about his availability for the England Sevens team which would have nailed his colours to the mast.

"He said no and we convinced him to reside here for three years to qualify for Wales and he was fine about it. At 28 there's not a lot of time on his side, but he's certainly on top form."

Bearman has developed a rapport with the fans and enjoys being in Wales.

"I'm loving living in Cardiff and being in Cardiff Bay," he said. "The Dragons supporters are the best in the world, they remind me very much of the people in Cornwall where it's close-knit and everyone knows everyone else and rugby is the driving force."

Bearman has few doubts about the outcome of Saturday's Heineken Cup return against Perpignan at Rodney Parade.

"I think we'll win, it's at home and we're different at home," he said. "Every now and again we have a blip with a loss and the wheels come off, but we'll do well on Saturday.

"It's going to be a massive game and we'll have to dig in. Perpignan are a better team now than when we played them in November, but the weather is not going to be very good and teams don't want to play against us in the wet when we're a tight, rugged unit.

"We should have won over there when we played well but missed chances. But I fancy us to turn them over at home, as a team we can get up for these one-off games.

"We haven't got the biggest squad and when we get injuries it affects us, but we're the only region who keeps their heads above water (financially) so that's a success.

"And we're above the Ospreys in the league table and we can only get better so maybe we can win some titles."