The Rodney Parade outfit are desperate to come flying out of the blocks in the RaboDirect PRO12 after being left trailing last campaign.
Chavhanga, the Dragons top try-scorer last season, underwent knee surgery in he off-season and is already playing catch-up in the region’s pre-season preparations.
They hope to have the former Springbok back on the pitch for their pre-season friendly with London Irish on August 17 but will not take any unnecessary risks.
“It’s massively important that we don’t rush Tonderai back,” said head coach Darren Edwards.
“At the moment his target is the London Irish friendly but he will come back cautiously and if that has to change then so be it.
“Tonderai’s main asset is his speed so we need to be very careful with a knee injury.
“His main job is to finish expertly and score tries, so if he is not operating at his top level then his ability to do that dramatically reduced.
“We need Tonderai for the full season so we will not be taking no risks, and the same goes for Mike Poole.”
Poole is making good progress in his latest recovery from a third major operation on his right knee and has impressed the conditioning team.
The 26-year-old will be one of the Dragons’ wing options with Wales internationals Will Harries and Tom Prydie.
