Power expects to play Offaly after seven-month lay-off

Kilkenny forward Richie Power is confident he will play some part in his county's Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 game against Offaly on Sunday, April 17, after a seven-month absence from the inter-county scene.

The All Star full forward has not played an inter-county game since he suffered a hip injury during the All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary last September.

Brian Cody's men are top of the Division 1 table and victory over Offaly will confirm their place in the League final on Sunday, 1 May.

The Carrickshock star, who has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks, said: "The plan is that I will play some part in the game against Offaly and with that still 10 days away, hopefully things will work out for me in that regard.

"I've been making good progress since I had the operation and especially in the last few weeks.

"I haven't yet got back to full training, but I've been attending the sessions with the lads and I'm gradually doing more and more."