NEWPORT Gwent Dragons fly-half Jason Tovey is up for selection for Thursday’s derby clash with the side that he will be plying his trade with next season.

The 22-year-old is leaving Rodney Parade for Cardiff Blues in the summer after five seasons with the Dragons.

Tovey, who is nine points shy of Ceri Sweeney’s regional points record, missed out on last Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 loss to Munster after being forced off at half-time in Aironi six days earlier.

He has taken a full part in training this week and will be vying for the number 10 jersey with Lewis Robling and Steffan Jones.

Another player that will be leaving the Dragons in the summer is also ready to return from injury.

Full-back Martyn Thomas did not feature against Munster after also being forced off in Italy but will also be in contention for a start against the Blues.

Yesterday the Dragons confirmed that the 24-year-old would be leaving at the end of the season, stating that he would not be offered a new deal.

Thomas responded on Twitter with “Just to put the record straight, I was offered a new deal but have decided to move on! #enoughsaid #dragons.”

The Argus understands that he was offered a deal earlier this season but that the Dragons then withdrew from negotiations and opted to pursue other options at 15.

They have Will Harries and Jamie Smith currently on their books and will be adding the Scarlets’ Dan Evans and another specialist full-back.

Meanwhile, the region will still be without wing/centre Adam Hughes for the Blues clash following his facial injury suffered in Aironi.

Centre Andy Tuilagi is set to be fit after being forced from the field against Munster by a dead leg while scrum-half Joe Bedford hopes to be in contention after having an injection in a bid to cure a shoulder problem.

Utility back Pat Leach is unlikely to feature in next week’s derby but is close to a return after breaking his left hand in January’s LV= Cup loss to the Ospreys in Bridgend.