NEWPORT Gwent Dragons skipper Tom Willis could miss the rest of the season after suffering a hand injury.

The hooker broke a bone and damaged ligaments in Saturday’s Magners League win against Edinburgh at Rodney Parade.

The New Zealander underwent an operation yesterday and has been told that he will be out of action for 10 to 12 weeks.

The 31-year-old, who has another year on his Dragons deal, will miss the last four LV Cup clash with Gloucester and the final should they triumph at Kingsholm on March 13.

It is also doubtful that he will be able to lead the side before the end of the season, with the region’s final game pencilled in for May 8.

Willis, who has been managing his workload this season because of a knee injury, has made 11 appearances in 2010/11.

His absence is a blow to the Dragons’ bid to build on three wins on the spin and climb the Magners League table with a strong finish to the campaign.

However, Steve Jones has made a timely return to fitness following a shoulder injury picked up against Sale three weeks ago.

He will battle for the number two jersey with Lloyd Burns, who has come on leaps and bounds this season after making the step up from Cross Keys.

There are also a host of Premiership hookers that the Dragons are keeping tabs on.

Pontypool’s Rhys Buckley has been training with the region while Newport’s Andrew Brown and Arthur Ellis and Bedwas’ Keiron Crawford could come into the mix if required.

Willis was last night banned for two weeks for stamping on an un-named Scarlets player during the Welsh derby at Rodney Parade on February 6 but his injury means he won’t be affected by the punishment.