PONTYPOOL are reeling from a blow ahead of their home match with Bedwas with the news one of their key players is out for 12 weeks.

And it is a particularly cruel blow for Geraint O’Driscoll who was attracting the interest of Newport Gwent Dragons.

The full back was carried off with a knee injury towards the end of Pooler’s 13-11 home win against Llandovery after putting in a man-of-the -match performance.

Pontypool coach Gareth Lintern said: “It’s not good news about Geraint. He’s out for 12 weeks after having an operation on Wednesday.

“It’s a real shame because he was at the top of his game and was attracting some interest from the Dragons who’d asked him to attend a few training sessions.”

Looking ahead to Bedwas, Lintern insists Pooler aren’t particularly targeting tomorrow’s game against a team who were struggling to find an elusive victory.

That was until they managed to get their season firmly back on track by beating one of the Premiership’s better teams in Aberavon last weekend, the Wizards going down 25-23 at the Bridge Field.

Lintern said Pooler go out to win every game in what he believes is one of the most unpredictable competitions about: “This is the strangest league around. It is really topsy-turvy and you don’t know what team you are going to face from one week to the next.

“Ebbw Vale beat Cardiff last week, Newport ran Neath extremely close and should have won.”

Saturday’s victory over The Drovers has given Pooler the chance of winning three out of their last four games.

There’s also the incentive of putting some distance between them and Llandovery, ominously anchored firmly to the bottom of the table.

“We’ve won two out of our last three games, training has gone well this week and we always feel confident in this league,” Lintern said.

“Bedwas are always there or there abouts and had a good victory against Aberavon but we will be going for the win.

“I’m a good friend of Bedwas coach Steve Law but our discussions have been limited this week!” he said.

Nathan Preece moves from wing to full-back to replace O’Driscoll with Newport Gwent Dragon Tal Selley, who played at 13 last week, taking his place on the flank.

The only change in the pack sees Nicky Coughlin replace Dan Lydiate at number eight.

Pontypool: N Preece, D Gravell, D Robinson, D Phillips, T Selley, S Mills, T Edwards, J Jeune, L Jones, M Lewis, D Cox, K Maiden, R Bowen, C Trayhern, N Coughlin.

Replacements: M Thomas, P Price, S Pailor, B Salt, A Brake, M Dwyer, S Maguire.