Newport Gwent Dragons will give an insight into the future next week as they prepare for their final game of the season against the Ospreys in a Magners League derby at the Liberty Stadium.

There is still no decision on when the game will be played because of the complication about Swansea City’s place in the Championship play-offs.

If the Swans make it (requiring victory over Doncaster and Blackpool failing to beat Bristol City with both games being played tomorrow afternoon) the Dragons contest will be played a week tomorrow.

But if Paulo Sousa’s men fail then the Ospreys-Dragons match will be next Friday evening, the date favoured by both teams.

But with the Dragons facing a massive injury list the squad could well include at least four players who could form a big part of their future.

Despite their successful season they are not going to stand still and though the Ospreys are expected to be at full strength chasing a home game in the play-offs there is nothing resting on the outcome for the Dragons hence their decision to go for youngsters.

It is partly enforced by the injury list, but it gives them and the players a chance, the ones in the running being teenage half backs Jon Evans and Lewis Robling, centre Adam Hughes and prop Aaron Coundley.

“It’s still an important game for us and we could include several young players whose future lies with Newport Gwent Dragons,” said rugby manager Robert Beale.

“We’ve got a squad and it will be up to the other players coming in to show us what they can do.”

Two regular members of the side had operations yesterday - ever present loose head prop Hugh Gustafson on a shoulder injury which had been troubling him for some time, though he also has a groin problem, and centre Ashley Smith on the foot he damaged in the last game against Cardiff Blues.

Had it been right in season Smith would have been missing for several months after breaking the toe and damaging ligaments.

Another player seeing a consultant yesterday was tight head prop Pat Palmer after injuring a shoulder, though his loan spell from Cardiff Blues is almost up.

Of the dozen or so players on the injured list the Dragons are hoping Aled Brew and Jason Tovey might make it among the backs while up front only Andrew Coombs has a chance of featuring.

Definitely out are Martyn Thomas, Smith, Matthew Watkins, James Arlidge, who is back in Japan anyway playing in World Cup qualifiers, Gustafson, Palmer, Steve Jones, Duane Goodfield, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Joe Bearman and Grant Webb.

The Ospreys have a near clean bill of health, only Duncan Jones, Barry Davies and Lyndon Bateman out and none of those could have expected to play anyway, with Paul James now having displaced Jones.

They are angry at the delay in naming the day for the match, with BBC Wales wanting Friday but unable to make a firm decision because of the uncertain football situation.

The Ospreys say they will have little time to sell the match either to fans or hospitality companies, but they will have to wait until Sunday afternoon before they know the outcome.