DIRECTOR of rugby Lyn Jones admits Newport Gwent Dragons have a big void to fill after captain Lee Byrne was ruled out for at least three months.

The 34-year-old former Wales and Lions full-back, who signed from Clermont Auvergne last summer, has undergone shoulder surgery to solve a long-standing problem.

Geraint Rhys Jones started against Harlequins and the Ospreys in the LV= Cup and is set to deputise against Munster in the Guinness Pro12 at Rodney Parade on Friday.

Wales pair Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie are other options at 15 along with fly-half Jason Tovey but Jones says his captain, who has featured in six of 11 games this season, will be missed.

"When Lee plays for us we are a different team," he said. "He has been outstanding for us in terms of his leadership and playing ability, he can do things that not a lot of people can do.

"You'd be surprised what a good full-back can do to a team and he will be missed but we need to get on with it and move forward. We have plenty of options to go there."

Amos has been released from international duty for the Munster match after not being selected in the Wales squad to take on New Zealand.

He is likely to feature on the wing for the Dragons but Tom Prydie has been cut from Warren Gatland's squad after suffering a minor calf injury.

A late call will be made on whether loosehead Boris Stankovich can feature against the Irish province after he was forced off against the Ospreys by a knee problem but on the whole the injury situation is good.

The Dragons have been bolstered by the returns of centres Tyler Morgan (knee), Ross Wardle (knee) and Ashley Smith (leg) and locks Cory Hill (ankle), Andrew Coombs (knee), Joe Davies (shoulder) and Matthew Screech (shoulder).

"The last eight weeks have been horrific," said Jones, whose side have won just one of seven league games. "We are building our game back up again and as the players come back from injury we expect to improve.

"We have been working towards this Munster fixture for three weeks, trying to get people ready for selection and trying to generate some momentum to kickstart our Pro12 campaign."