Badly bruised Kearney on track to face All Blacks

ROB Kearney expects to be in the Irish selection mix for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Kearney was reported to have shown significant progress after suffering deep bruising to his knee in the game with South Africa.

Cian Healy suffered a dead leg in Saturday’s win over Samoa and will be monitored over the next 48 hours.

Keith Earls has been released to play for Munster against Australia, but will then return to the Ireland squad. Also available are Johne Murphy and Damian Varley.

The Ireland team will be announced on Thursday.

Ireland Squad (32) Forwards: T Court, C Healy, B Wilkinson, R Best, S Cronin, J Hayes, M Ross, D O’Callaghan, D Ryan, M O’Driscoll, D Toner, S Ferris, J Muldoon, D Wallace, S O’Brien, J Heaslip, D Leamy. Backs: E Reddan, P Stringer, R O’Gara, J Sexton, A Trimble, L Fitzgerald, K Earls, G D’Arcy, P Wallace, B O’Driscoll, F McFadden, T Bowe, G Duffy, G Murphy, R Kearney.