Best targeting Heineken Cup return

Ulster hooker Rory Best is targeting a return to action for the Heineken Cup third round clash with Northampton on December 7.

Best has been sidelined with a neck injury suffered during Ulster's win over Dragons a month ago but he is confident the rehabilitation process is drawing to a close.

“The injury is coming on well,” he stated. “It's just like any ligament, it just needs a bit of time and rest.

“It's got that now and we've trained it pretty hard over the past two weeks.

“Hopefully in the next while, it should come on a lot and I'll hopefully be back playing in the next two weeks.”

Meanwhile, Ulster captain Johann Muller could return to action this Sunday for the top-of-the-table RaboDirect PRO12 game against Scarlets (4pm).

The South African lock picked up a thumb injury in the Heineken Cup win over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun last month.

Fellow forwards Stephen Ferris (ankle) and Lewis Stevenson (knee) are recovering well but are likely to be unavailable for another few weeks.

Australian born flanker Sean Doyle has returned to light training after a broken leg and may see some game time with the Ravens in the coming weeks.