THERE will be no need for hooker Richard Emms to play it by ear when he is rewarded for his patience with a start at Aberavon tomorrow evening.

The 32-year-old has been biding his time on the sidelines and become a valuable member of the squad by going about his business and working hard in training.

Chances have been limited but skipper Lloyd Burns emerged from a ruck in last weekend’s win over Bedwas with a horror injury to his right ear that required 15 stitches.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the 24-year-old – he was going to be involved in the Newport Gwent Dragons squad for tomorrow’s LV Cup clash with Sale – but it did present a golden opportunity for Emms.

He slotted into the pack against Bedwas and did his job and Keys have full confidence in giving him the number two jersey again.

“Burner will be okay for next week but it was pretty horrific,” said forwards coach Greg Woods.

“His ear was hanging off but he wanted to strap it up and get back out there. He was told it would probably need surgery but was phoning from hospital to see how the game had gone!

“But this is why we got Richard Emms in – we got another big game from an experienced head against Bedwas and he will slot straight in tomorrow.

“He is very good technically with his throwing and scrummaging and is very quick around the park.

“He is different to different to Burner in that he is a bit more of a link player but he is another great leader to have in the pack.”

Dragons academy pair Toby Faletau and Matthew Pewtner are required by the region for their game with the Sharks but Keys are fully-loaded elsewhere.

Keys will finalise their team this evening but experienced lock Ben Watkins is poised to return and the back row will get the nod after an impressive display against Bedwas.

That win maintained Keys 100 per cent record against teams from the Dragons region but they are yet to have any joy against the other Premiership sides.

The Wizards won 35-27 at Pandy Park earlier in the campaign but were beaten by Newport on their own patch last Saturday. They haven’t had the greatest start to the season and we are frustrated by the loss to them at our place earlier on in the season,” said Woods.

“We haven’t won there for 10 years but last week was the first time we had beaten Bedwas at our place for five years. We want to get another monkey off our backs.

“With Carmarthen Quins coming up we have two big games before the autumn break and we need to keep eighth place (the final play-off spot) in our sights.

“Discipline will be key and we have to win the kicking battle.”