Ulster back row Juarno Augustus will be sidelined “for a number of weeks” because of the ankle ligament injury he sustained in the United Rugby Championship win over Connacht in Galway.
Augustus left the field midway through the second half of his team’s 29-24 success at Dexcom Stadium and Ulster say the damage is “significant”.
The former Northampton Saints number eight has initially been ruled out of Friday’s URC match with Munster in Belfast.
“He’s going to see someone about it on Friday,” head coach Richie Murphy told BBC Sport NI.
“We’re not sure exactly on the timeline, but yeah we won’t be seeing him over the next couple of weeks. It gives him an opportunity then to retrain himself and get himself nice and fit and come back fighting bigger and stronger hopefully.”
Meanwhile Ethan McIlroy’s injury woe has continued as he faces a further spell out of action after picking up a rib injury in Ballynahinch’s Senior Cup Final victory over Instonians.
Eric O’Sullivan (hamstring), Matthew Dalton (knee), Iain Henderson (back) and Rob Herring (knee) have all resumed team training and their availability for selection will be assessed through training this week.
“It’s a big boost for the squad,” Murphy added when asked about the return of experienced Ireland internationals Herring and Henderson.
“Their experience and work in the early part of the season was really valuable for us. I think if you look at the likes of Harry Sheridan, Charlie Irvine and even Izzy [Cormac Izuchukwu], some of these younger guys, having a guy like Hendy in there is really valuable for them.”
Ulster sit fifth in the URC table, three points below second-placed Munster, so have the opportunity to leapfrog their Irish interprovincial rivals in the table with a win at Affidea Stadium.
