NEWPORT Gwent Dragons are hoping the outstanding Joe Bearman will be back in time for their Heineken Cup double header with Biarritz next month.

The 30-year-old back rower had looked a good bet to win his first cap for Wales in the autumn internationals.

But the Cornishman, now eligible to play for Wales on the three-year residency qualification, suffered a groin injury last month and was given a six-week recovery timeframe.

His rehabilitation is going well and Dragons head coach Paul Turner is keeping his fingers crossed Bearman will face the 2006 Heineken Cup finalists.

“I’m always looking at Biarritz and it’s important he is fit for that one,” Turner said.

Turner said Bearman was bitterly disappointed his injury robbed him of a chance of a cap this month.

“It was a big blow for him. He would probably have made the Wales squad,” Turner said.

“And like Daniel (Lydiate), he would probably have got a cap (against Samoa).

“But that’s rugby for you. Joe is strong enough to come back and stake his claim again.”

The Dragons aren’t having much luck with injuries this season. Yesterday the Argus revealed centre Ashley Smith is out for between six and eight weeks.

The former Wales Under-21s skipper had an operation last week for a toe injury.

The inside-centre, who has captained the Dragons in hooker Tom Willis’ absence this season, will miss the Biarritz games but the Dragons hope he will be fit for their Christmas Welsh derbies.

They play their first game at the Cardiff City Stadium against the Blues on Sunday, December 27 (kick off 6pm).

This is followed by a home game against the Scarlets on New Year’s Eve (kick off 2.05pm).

The Dragons also hope Ali McKenzie will be back for Christmas to alleviate their front row crisis.

But McKenzie’s fellow props Ben Castle, Nigel Hall and Phil Price are all out until at least January.