Ferris extends Ulster stay as he continues return from injury

Stephen Ferris has signed a new short-term contract with Ulster and hopes to be fully recovered from major ankle surgery to return to action next month.

The 28-year-old Lions and Ireland flanker has not played for more than a year since picking up the last of a litany of injuries, against Edinburgh in November 2012. Ferris signed a six-month contract at the end of last season in order that Ulster Rugby could gauge his progress following surgery to correct ruptured ankle ligaments.

It is yet unsure the length of the new contract, which could be for a further three months or up to the end of the current season.