WINGER Mike Poole is as fond of making big hits as he is running in the tries, but he is hopeful of crossing the whitewash to break his Newport Gwent Dragons duck tomorrow evening.

The 26-year-old’s terrific strike rate with Newport earned a full-time deal with the region.

His Black and Ambers record is 48 tries in 104 games but Poole is yet to run one in for the Dragons despite being keen to count a score in a friendly against Russia.

He will be desperate for the ball to come to the left flank in tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Rugby Mogliano at Rodney Parade.

But Poole, whose Dragons career has been plagued by unfortunate injuries, insists he won’t be weighed down by the zero next to his name.

“Things like that never play on my mind and I believe if you think too much about it then it won’t click for you on the pitch,” said the winger, who made his first appearance of the season in last weekend’s 33-0 win in Mogliano.

“It’s the same with big hits – you can go looking for them all game but it doesn’t happen, then suddenly you get two on the bounce.

“As a winger you can go looking for the ball but if it’s not on, it’s not on. I just have to be patient.

“Hopefully I will get plenty of ball against Mogliano because (as a back three) we were mainly fielding kicks in Italy last week.

“The heavy pitch slowed the game down and then there was the red card (for Jevon Groves in the first half) so it would be lovely if we get the chance to run in some tries on a fast track tomorrow.

“There is plenty of competition for places in the back field and I want to be in the selection mix.

“I just have to put my card out there, but patience is key – after my injury problems I just want to stay fit and keep enjoying my rugby.”