Newport Gwent Dragons boss Kingsley Jones has revealed preparations for next season are already in full swing as the Welsh club look to end their Guinness PRO12 season on a high in Zebre this weekend.

The Dragons will travel to Zebre without Welsh international Taulupe Faletau, who has played his final game for the club before joining Premiership side Bath in the summer, while the region could hand a debut to Wales Under-20 back-rower Harri Keddie, with Lewis Evans and Nic Cudd missing out.

The Dragons will also want to end their longest losing run since their inception – the region lost their ninth consecutive Pro12 game in their 34-20 defeat to Scarlets on Judgement Day.

The Welsh region’s only victory in their last 11 matches in all tournaments was 23-21 at Gloucester in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup on 9 April.

But Jones is determined to end the season on a high as they look to build some much-needed momentum ahead of the summer.

“There are players out there and some we are already in discussions with, Stuart (Davies, chief executive) has met a few in the last few weeks and I am looking at CVs," said the head coach, who has taken over the reins from Lyn Jones after the director of rugby left his role last month.

"I have always looked at CVs and what's on the market and I have a network in New Zealand and South Africa.

"I have friends everywhere. The network is when you Skype your mate in France or New Zealand and have a general chat and names come up. You are always shopping and it's not the time of year anymore.

"We have to get one or two signings in. We have to get a few people off the physio bed because a number of people have not played a game for us.

"We have (been without) Andrew Coombs and James Thomas, who was the player of the year last season, while it was Jack Dixon's first start against the Scarlets last weekend.

"We didn't expect to be without them and they are our better players."

Zebre will hope to leapfrog Treviso into 11th in the Pro12 table and qualify for the European Champions Cup.

The Italians have not won in 10 games, with their last league victory coming against Treviso on January 3.

Zebre's only victory in their seven previous contests with Dragons was 23-17 in Parma in round 16 last season.

At Stadio Lanfranchi, 4pm local time (3pm UK & Ireland).

Referee: David Wilkinson (42nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo, Simone Boaretto (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Marrama (FIR)

Live on Rai Sport