HEAD coach Kingsley Jones admits Newport Gwent Dragons need to bolster their ranks with more signings if they are to enjoy a better season in 2016/17.

The Dragons made the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup for the second year on the spin but have endured a torrid time in the Guinness Pro12.

They will finish in 10th with just the Italian pair of Zebre and Treviso beneath them and have recorded just four league wins this season – their lowest ever tally.

The Dragons have lost all six Welsh derbies and need to head to Zebre for their final game of the season on Saturday needing a victory to avoid a whitewash of 11 away defeats.

The Rodney Parade side have made five signings so far for next season in Edinburgh centre Sam Beard, South African wing/centre Pat Howard from Northampton, Cardiff Blues props Sam Hobbs and Craig Mitchell and Sale fly-half/full-back Nick Macleod.

Jones has admitted that the Dragons need to strengthen their squad and says they are beavering away behind the scenes.

"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."

The Dragons have endured a number of near misses this season and have set a league record of 10 losing bonus points.

They have also had to operate with a mammoth injury list that has seen them deprived of influential players such as wings Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie, centres Jack Dixon and Tyler Morgan, flanker Ollie Griffiths and lock/back rows Andrew Coombs and James Thomas for much of the season.

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

"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 head into Saturday's game needing to better Treviso's result at title-chasing Leinster to move up to 11th place and earn Champions Cup qualification.