Squad Update

The Munster squad trained in UL today as they continue to prepare for Saturday’s game away to Cardiff Blues in round eight of the RaboDirect PRO12 (ko 6:30pm).

There was positive news on the injury front with both Denis Hurley and Ian Nagle returning to full training after recent injuries.

Hurley trains after missing the last four weeks with a knee injury that he sustained in the Heineken Cup win over Gloucester.

Nagle is back in training after spraining his left foot against Zebre in the middle of September.

Felix Jones has been called up to the Ireland camp as cover and missed today’s training session.

New signing Gerhard van den Heever was in UL today but did not take part in the full session as his workload is monitored after arriving from Western Province with a slight groin niggle.

The utility back’s recent heavy workload included 14 successive games before arriving in Munster and he is expected to train on Thursday.

Ian Keatley missed training as he has soreness in his hip and groin area and has been ruled out of the Cardiff match.

James Downey has been also ruled out of the weekend's game with an irritated groin injury that he sustained in training last week but there’s better news for Luke O’Dea as he expects to return to full training next week after a slight hamstring injury that he picked up playing for Shannon.

Niall Ronan has seen a specialist and received an injection for a sprained knee injury that he sustained in training and will be monitored by the medical staff for the next two weeks.

Longer term absentees Simon Zebo (foot), Paddy Butler (thumb), Donnacha Ryan (knee), Tommy O’Donnell (knee), Keith Earls (knee) and Gerry Hurley (finger) are all continuing their recovery from injury.

Head Coach Rob Penney is upbeat about their recovery with Zebo set to return in 4-6 weeks, he expects O'Donnell to return by Christmas, Earls within the next couple of weeks and is happy with the progress of Ryan who is back on his feet after a good report from the specialist.