Recovering Ulster stars named in provisional squad

Despite being forced off the field in the win over Edinburgh at the weekend Pedrie Wannenburg (foot) and Ian Humphreys (hamstring) have been named in Ulster’s 33-man panel ahead of Friday’s crucial Heineken Cup match with Leicester at Ravenhill (8pm).

Young backline trio Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Nevin Spence (all ankle) have also returned to training this week and are available for selection if required.

Mike McComish is also available after shaking off a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, prop Declan Fitzpatrick’s neck injury was reviewed last week and he is likely to be out of action for four to six weeks. Paddy McAllister and Peter Nelson also miss out.

Leicester have been hit by injuries to England internationals Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon who are all ruled out of the sell-out match.

Flood’s replacement at flyhalf, Billy Twelvetrees, scored all of his side’s points in the 29-11 win over Wasps on Saturday.

Provisional Ulster Squad:

Forwards:

Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Jerry Cronin, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller (captain), Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Pedrie Wannenburg, Willie Faloon, Mike McComish, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack

Backs:

Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Stefan Terblanche, Craig Gilroy, Simon Danielli, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy.