DRAGONS boss Dean Ryan has backed Ollie Griffiths to "come back fighting and swinging" after the influential back row forward suffered another injury setback.

The 24-year-old from Newbridge faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines after a blow to his right calf suffered in a man of the match display against Glasgow.

Griffiths had been named in the starting line-up to face Guinness PRO14 champions Leinster but, after struggling all week, withdrew in the warm-up.

The dynamic back rower will miss Friday's league encounter with Edinburgh at Murrayfield (kick-off 7.35pm) and the European Challenge Cup fixtures against Castres and Enisei-STM.

Griffiths has been hindered by injury misfortune over recent seasons, limiting the once-capped Wales international to 11 outings in 2017/18 and 15 appearances last season.

South Wales Argus:

He started the season at Munster only to suffer a groin injury and has now been ruled out by his calf, but director of rugby Ryan says it's just a change of fortune that his back rower needs rather than change of routine.

"It's absolutely down to luck," said Ryan. "Ollie is probably the most professional player that we've got in terms of physical development and understanding his body, but this can be a pretty rotten game sometimes.

"That's the nature of it, it's a collision-based game and you look at the fortunes of some people and they stem from good luck in early parts when opportunities are around.

"Ollie has had some poor luck but that doesn't take away from the calibre of the player, and in some ways it's a bigger testimony to him that he keeps coming back.

"I know that he is incredibly disappointed, as we all are, but I have no doubts that he will come back fighting and swinging.

"If you are going to play the game like Ollie does, and as well as Ollie does, then you are going to be at risk.

"He's had some rough luck but he's got to get back and we've got to get on with things."

South Wales Argus:

The loss of Griffiths is combined with the absence of Wales internationals Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty, who are unlikely to be back in Dragons colours until December after their World Cup exertions.

Nonetheless, the Dragons are still able to field a strong back row with Huw Taylor, Harrison Keddie and Taine Basham likely to start at Murrayfield with James Benjamin their cover.

"There is a danger of being so keen on 10 players that we desperately want to get out on the field," said Ryan.

"I've worked really hard on just looking to the next guy and Taine was outstanding at Leinster. That's what we've got to create more of.

"Yes, we missed Ollie Griffiths but let's not hide an outstanding performance by Taine Basham or Huw Taylor.

"For a young man against a quality side, that was as good a performance that I have seen from someone that age."