But Tovey will start at No.10 for the tenth-place club at Ravehill on Friday with the Dragons chasing what would be only their second win on Irish soil since 2004.

The Dragons are without wingers Tonderai Chavhanga (rib) and Will Harries (hamstring) while Pat Leach for six to eight weeks after he fractured a bone in his left hand against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup.

Lock Adam Jones has trained lightly so his foot injury will not scupper a resumption of his second row partnership with Rob Sidoli.

And with a lengthy injury list, Edwards is calling on Tovey, who needs 35 more points to overtake Ceri Sweeney as the region's top scorer, to deliver.

"Jason is a professional player, his attitude has been spot-on in training and we need to pick our best team," said Edwards.

"We need to get the result in Ulster and this is an important block of games for us.

"I was hoping that we would be in a stronger position than we are in the Pro12 but that's the way it goes and we have to respond.

"We do have a number of home games after doing some hard yards earlier on this season and it would be nice to get some reward for all of that work."

Meanwhile, Ulster, who are searching for a fourth RaboDirect PRO12 victory in five, have lost just once in 16 matches at Ravenhill but will be without Ireland internationals Andrew Trimble, Rory Best and Stephen Ferris while Dan Tuohy, Tom Court, Chris Henry and Paddy Wallace are also with the international squad, though they may be released.

Captain Johann Muller is also a late withdrawal with a calf injury but Friday's hosts are still able to call on South African ace Ruan Pienaar and powerful New Zealand prop John Afoa.

And despite the off-field uncertainty cause by the announcement that Brian McLaughlin is to stand down as head coach at the end of the season, he is purely focused on the matter in hand.

"We're delighted to have the guys away with Ireland, it's important for that the individuals get recognition for their performances with Ulster," McLaughlin said.

"With those guys away, it gives others a chance to come in and push themselves. It's important for the squad that we give as many opportunities as possible to players as we have to be in a position where we have depth in each area."

"Johann got a tight calf during the team run on Wednesday and after a scan we had a slight fear that it would develop, so we decided not to risk him."

Referee: Carlo Damasco (FIR, 16th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, David Keane (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner : Denis Templeton (IRFU)
TMO: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

Live on BBC Sport NI and RTE Sport.