Stuart McCloskey could become available for Ulster this week in a big boost for Richie Murphy's side ahead of Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Ospreys in Belfast.
The Ireland international has missed the last two games after picking up knee and ankle injuries in their Round 2 defeat away to the Lions, but the centre has resumed training this week, with the province saying his "availability for selection will be monitored during the week".
The 32-year-old's return would come at just the right time for the province after both Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore both picked up knocks in Saturday’s 32-27 win against Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.
Postlethwaite, who scored Ulster’s second try of the night, departed the game after 32 minutes due to a shoulder injury which Ulster say will be monitored during the week, while their other starting centre on the night, Stewart Moore, has already been ruled out due to a sterno-clavicular joint injury.
Captain Iain Henderson looks unlikely to feature against the Welsh side after suffering a concussion on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old is following the gradated return to play protocols, but with a six-day turnaround between games, he is a major doubt to be cleared for action.
Versatile back Ethan McIlroy is also a doubt due to an ankle injury sustained late in Saturday’s win, but in better news prop Eric O’Sullivan is back in full training following a shoulder issue.
Murphy will also be able to call upon his Emerging Ireland contingent who have returned from their tour of South Africa, with Cormac Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, Zac Ward, Scott Wilson and Jack Murphy all now available for selection.
Irish international hookers Rob Herring and Tom Stewart continue to be sidelined due to respective calf and ankle injuries, putting them in real doubt for Ireland’s first Autumn Nations Series game against New Zealand on 8 November, while Rob Baloucoune, James Hume and Jake Flannery remain on the long-term casualty list.
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