Lock Ben Carter has given Dragons and Wales a fitness boost as he returns from an ankle injury.

But Dragons boss Dai Flanagan expects Carter to be in contention.

"There is a new national coach (Warren Gatland) who I am sure is keen to watch Ben and he wants to get back as quickly as possible," said Flanagan.

Carter, 21, picked up the problem in a training session before their European Challenge Cup draw

Dragons travel to face Pau in France on Friday, 13 January in the Challenge Cup before hosting Lions in the European competition nine days later.

"Ben will be touch and go for Friday, if it's not Pau then (he'll be back) the week after against the Lions," added Flanagan.

"He is flying around at the moment, so hopefully it's sooner rather than later. He is important for us because he is a big man."

Carter was part of Wales' autumn internationals squad and started the defeat by Georgia alongside Adam Beard that heralded the end of Wayne Pivac's national coaching reign.

Exeter duo Christ Tshuinza and Daf Jenkins, Ospreys duo Rhys Davies and Alun Wyn Jones and Cardiff's Seb Davies will be among the lock contenders to be named in Gatland's squad later this month.

Gatland is already without Dragons lock Will Rowlands for the tournament because of a shoulder injury, while Ospreys fly-half Gareth Anscombe will also be missing.

Dan Lydiate, Samson Lee and Willis Halaholo will miss at least the start of the tournament, while Wales have injury concerns surrounding George North, Owen Watkin, Josh Navidi, Dillon Lewis, Louis Rees-Zammit, Wyn Jones, Johnny Williams and Josh Macleod.