WALES international Aaron Wainwright has given the Dragons a boost after being cleared by two doctors for Saturday’s derby with the Ospreys.
The number eight came off after a blow to the head in Sunday's United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster.
The 26-year-old World Cup star went to the changing room, returned to the bench but didn't come back on.
Head coach Dai Flanagan has revealed that Wainwright did not fail a head injury assessment and has been given the green light by medics.
The dynamic back rower is now in contention to face the Ospreys at Rodney Parade on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm).
"There was no actual HIA, which is good news for Aaron," said Flanagan. "He is fine, training and available to play if selected.
"He has passed all tests and been cleared by two doctors. There was initially a bit of confusion, but he is available."
Wainwright getting the green light is a big boost given that the Dragons have lost Taine Basham for four games after his red card against Leinster.
The Wales international was sent off for elbowing Ross Byrne with a late hit and will miss the Ospreys game, the South Africa double-header with the Lions and Sharks then the European Challenge Cup opener with Oyonnax.
"I hope he learns a lesson from it. He is still very young and wants to impress and chase some stuff," said Flanagan.
"Emotion got the better of him but I've had a conversation with him that will stay between us."
Back rower Ollie Griffiths is set to be back in the mix against the Ospreys after a shoulder niggle while Wales hooker Bradley Roberts is set to return after sitting out the Leinster clash with a thumb injury.
The Dragons will, however, be without wing Jared Rosser for a sizeable period after he was sat out of action by Flanagan due to concussion.
The speedster suffered a head injury against Cardiff and another against Leinster last weekend.
Rosser will miss the Ospreys game and at least the double-header in South Africa.
The Dragons have suffered a number of concussions this season - Rosser, Harri Keddie, Sean Lonsdale, Matthew Screech, Ashton Hewitt - with Flanagan believing the club has improved at spotting the blows.
"We have injured ourselves quite a bit - Matthew Screech took Jared out last weekend, Lloyd Fairbrother took Sean Lonsdale out [against Cardiff]," said the head coach.
"We've been unfortunate but this is the modern game, the rule have been changed to protect the players and that is great, while we are switched on about identifying it during games."
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