Keith Earls: Tendon op in September.

Anthony Foley has warned Keith Earls will have a battle to reclaim his place in the Munster side after naming the Ireland international in the replacements for the Pro12 clash against bottom-of-the-table Zebre today.

Earls has regained fitness after surgery on his patellar tendon last September and could make his first appearance of the season off the bench in Italy.

“He’s back fit,” the Munster coach said. “He’s had a long road to recovery. He got a procedure done earlier in the season and has worked his way back into contention.