Sherry’s return the silver lining for injury-hit Munster

Mike Sherry returns to training this week having been out of action since early October when he injured an ankle in a club game.

He will have his first full contact session tomorrow when the squad assembles in Cork ahead of the Heineken Cup game against Castres Olympique, although at this stage it's too soon to know when he can be considered for selection.

Paddy Butler, who injured a shoulder playing for Shannon at the weekend will have a scan today to determine the extent of the damage but Tommy O'Donnell (knee) and Tom Gleeson (shoulder) know their fate after sustaining injuries in the Ulster game.

O'Donnell will be out for up to six weeks with Gleeson facing nearer to ten weeks out before he's able to resume full training.

Denis Leamy will have an operation next week on his hip that will keep him out for up to four months, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season alongside Doug Howlett and Darragh Hurley.

On the brighter side Felix Jones, Troy Smith, Jerry Flannery and David Wallace all continue to progress along expected lines with a return to training anticipated sometime in February.