The 27-year-old is set to be fast-tracked back into the starting line-up for the home encounter for his first match action since he injured his toe against Zebre back in March.
The Newport-born centre was due to return last week before he pulled up in training with a strained hamstring.
But now he is raring to get out onto the Rodney Parade pitch and bring some harmony to the back line – with Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Tyler Morgan and Ross Wardle still sidelined.
He said: “It’s been a frustrating time but I am finally fit and ready to go. There have been a few mishaps but those happen when you are coming back from a lengthy injury and I am looking forward to Sunday. Ideally I probably would have made my return from the bench but needs must and it’s nice to be wanted!”
Ben John came in on-loan from the Ospreys to answer Lyn Jones’ SOS call and Smith is hoping to forge a deadly combination in the Dragons midfield. But he is wary of basement boys Benetton Treviso, who are also looking to claim their first win of the new campaign.
He said: “The injury problems give me a chance to get back into the team and, even though it’s not the way that I would have liked it to happen, I’ve got to try and take my chance. Ben John did well against Glasgow after joining up with us late so hopefully I will combine well with him and form a good partnership.
“A win would help us kick on but Treviso are still a good team and this won’t be an easy game. They will be smarting from being beaten 43-0 by the Scarlets last week and will come here with a big pack and some dangerous players like Michele Campagnaro.”
