Earls fitness boost for Munster

KEITH EARLS is expected to return to the active roster for Munster this week after a frustrating and lengthy injury layoff.

The Ireland wing missed out on the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia due to a groin problem and that was compounded by ankle trouble that has seen him sit out the first five weeks of the season.

“We would hope that Keith is available for selection this week,” said Munster coach Tony McGahan. “He did a little bit (of training) last week and is back this week. He was very nearly right before he did his ankle a few weeks ago. That disrupted him and set him back a bit but he should be right to go hopefully.”

Also back in the frame for the opening round of the Heineken Cup is Tony Buckley who sat out Saturday’s Magners League defeat to Leinster after picking up a virus in the days prior to the clash.

There was further encouraging news regarding Jerry Flannery, who has been haunted by a combination of injuries.

“Jerry won’t be available for selection this week,” explained McGahan, “but he is certainly making progress and we hope that he could present himself for selection possibly in the next week or two.”

The blow from Flannery’s absence has been somewhat softened by Damien Varley’s form in the number two shirt but Munster have also had to make do without their talismanic captain Paul O’Connell for much of 2010. The lock has been suffering from a troublesome pubic bone injury which has left him inactive since March – his last club appearance was in January – but light is appearing at the end of that tunnel with a pre-Christmas return the target.

“The injury is improving well,” said O’Connell. “I’m not back in full training but hopefully that will happen in the next few weeks. I’ll have to do a bit of a mini pre-season as I haven’t done a lot of running since the Scotland game.”

Like Munster, Leinster have reported multiple bumps and bruises after last weekend’s events in Ballsbridge but coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed the fitness and availability of both Brian O’Driscoll and Shane Horgan. Meanwhile, Ulster will have to do without Stephen Ferris yet again for their game against Aironi Rugby in Ravenhill on Friday. It will be today before coach Brian McLaughlin finds out whether or not he will have the services of prop BJ Botha.