Ahead of the Guinness PRO12 Round 19 game at home to Connacht on Friday night (7:35pm kick off), the Ulster Rugby medical team has provided the following update:
Returning to play
Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne have recovered from low grade injuries and they are available for selection this week.
Unavailable for Connacht fixture
Alan O’Connor dislocated his right shoulder whilst playing against Glasgow at Scotstoun last weekend. He will see a shoulder specialist later this week to determine whether the injury will require surgery.
Nick Williams suffered a left groin injury and aggravated a left shoulder injury playing against Glasgow. He will not be fit for selection this week.
Ian Humphreys is currently rehabilitating a back injury and his return to play is being assessed on a weekly basis.
Louis Ludik is suffering from an ongoing right groin injury. He is unlikely to be available for selection this week.
Tommy Bowe continues end-stage rehabilitation for his knee injury. His likely return to play date is being assessed on a weekly basis.
Ruaidhri Murphy continues to recover from a finger injury and is unfit for selection this week.
Sammy Arnold re-aggravated a hamstring tear during training last week. His return to play is estimated at 4-6 weeks.
Wiehahn Herbst continues to rehab his toe injury. He is likely to return to play in 4-6 weeks.
Andrew Warwick and Mark Best were unable to train today due to illness. A number of players on the squad have been affected by this respiratory virus and a decision on their fitness to play will be determined later in the week.
Unavailable for the remainder of the 2015/16 season
Peter Nelson continues to rehabilitate from an ankle injury sustained against Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium. His return to play status remains as the 2016/17 season.
Dan Tuohy had surgery two weeks ago for his ongoing ankle injury. He is recovering well post-surgery.
Willie Faloon had surgery two weeks ago for a chronic mid-foot injury and will not play again this season.
Returning to play
Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne have recovered from low grade injuries and they are available for selection this week.
Unavailable for Connacht fixture
Alan O’Connor dislocated his right shoulder whilst playing against Glasgow at Scotstoun last weekend. He will see a shoulder specialist later this week to determine whether the injury will require surgery.
Nick Williams suffered a left groin injury and aggravated a left shoulder injury playing against Glasgow. He will not be fit for selection this week.
Ian Humphreys is currently rehabilitating a back injury and his return to play is being assessed on a weekly basis.
Louis Ludik is suffering from an ongoing right groin injury. He is unlikely to be available for selection this week.
Tommy Bowe continues end-stage rehabilitation for his knee injury. His likely return to play date is being assessed on a weekly basis.
Ruaidhri Murphy continues to recover from a finger injury and is unfit for selection this week.
Sammy Arnold re-aggravated a hamstring tear during training last week. His return to play is estimated at 4-6 weeks.
Wiehahn Herbst continues to rehab his toe injury. He is likely to return to play in 4-6 weeks.
Andrew Warwick and Mark Best were unable to train today due to illness. A number of players on the squad have been affected by this respiratory virus and a decision on their fitness to play will be determined later in the week.
Unavailable for the remainder of the 2015/16 season
Peter Nelson continues to rehabilitate from an ankle injury sustained against Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium. His return to play status remains as the 2016/17 season.
Dan Tuohy had surgery two weeks ago for his ongoing ankle injury. He is recovering well post-surgery.
Willie Faloon had surgery two weeks ago for a chronic mid-foot injury and will not play again this season.