WALES hooker Elliot Dee faces a fitness race to feature for the Dragons in the first block of the United Rugby Championship and Tongan back rower Solomone Funaki has had an injury setback.

The Rodney Parade club host the Sharks on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm) for their third game of six before the autumn internationals.

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright is making good progress on the return from a ruptured hamstring suffered against Australia and could be back soon.

However, his Test teammate Dee is still being troubled by an ankle injury that ruled him out of the tour to face the Wallabies.

“Elliot has a clean out last week so is still a few weeks away yet. We are planning for him to be available in this block but we have to make sure it’s right,” said head coach Dai Flanagan.

WAIT: Dragons forward Solomone Funaki is likely to miss the first block of the URCWAIT: Dragons forward Solomone Funaki is likely to miss the first block of the URC (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Funaki, a summer signing from Moana Pasifika, had an operation on a knee niggle before arriving but then suffered an infection that meant he missed the start of the campaign.

The hard-hitting Tongan back row forward had initially targeted the home clash with the Lions in round four but now looks set to be out until the URC returns at the end of November.

“Funaki has had a bit of a setback with his knee but he has started running and will be touch and go for this block,” said Flanagan.

“We thought that he would make it comfortably but, with Aaron Wainwright hoping to return pretty soon, it will be best for him to get firing for the next block and be fully healthy for us.”

Another player who is set to be sidelined until November is lock George Nott, who suffered a shoulder injury when carrying hard in the fifth minute of last Friday’s loss to Leinster.

“George will miss this block but doesn’t need surgery and will be back in four weeks,” said the head coach, who also revealed second-row forward Steve Cummins is close to a return from a broken hand.

“It’s not the nicest, because he wants to play and the start of the season is a bad time to get injured, but thankfully it’s nothing serious.”

The Dragons name their team for Saturday’s home fixture against the Sharks at midday tomorrow and they are hopeful of Angus O’Brien being declared fit.

The full-back was a late withdrawal from the XV at Leinster as a precaution due to tightness in his leg when kicking.

The Dragons are set to be boosted by a pair of Wales internationals with tighthead Leon Brown back after being rested for Dublin and dynamic flanker Taine Basham involved after being troubled by tendonitis in the summer.