Leinster’s internationals return ahead of Edinburgh visit

The Leinster management have received a boost with the news that several key players look set to return to the fray ahead of the province’s RaboDirect PRO12 showdown with Edinburgh in Murrayfield on Friday night (7.35pm).

There are no fresh injury concerns for the province and the management are hopeful that Ireland trio Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Brian O'Driscoll will come into the frame this week ahead of Thursday's lunchtime team announcement.

Shane Jennings, who was a late withdrawal from Saturday's line up against Connacht due to illness, is expected to return.

Jennings could be joined by a number of other Ireland internationals - such as Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Jonathan Sexton - who were unavailable last weekend.

Kevin McLaughlin, meanwhile, was rested as a precaution after sustaining a shoulder knock against Ulster the previous weekend and is also expected to be in the mix.

Andrew Conway received a dead leg when competing for a ball in the air during Saturday night's victory but it is anticipated that he will be fit to train during the week and available for the trip to Edinburgh.

Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss is expected to return to action over the coming weeks.

Isa Nacewa is also set to return either this week or next after suffering deep tissue bruising to his arm in the recent Round 4 Heineken Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

In a further boost, second row Mark Flanagan - who has been unavailable since undergoing a back operation in July - is set to be available for Clontarf in the AIL this weekend away to St. Mary's College.