Munster boost as Jager and Wycherley expected to return in weeks rather than months

The pair underwent surgery and are working towards fitness again.

Forwards Coach Andy Kyriacou at squad training on Tuesday. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Munster are optimistic Oli Jager will be back in weeks rather than months following knee surgery.

Both the tighthead prop and lock Fineen Wycherley went into surgery for their respective knee issues last week with some speculation the forward duo may miss the rest of the season for the defending URC champions.

Yet a day after the province reported the pair had begun their rehabilitation programmes, Munster forwards coach Andi Kyriacou said he expected their recovery periods to be short, handing a boost for the run-in to the end of season league play-offs.

Asked on Tuesday for a return date on both Jager, who made his Ireland Test debut off the bench against Italy last month, and Wycherley, Kyriacou replied: “Not a timeline but they’re short return to play rehab periods, basically, that they’re now currently in. 

“They had surgery last week but it wasn’t major surgery, and I think it will mean they have relatively short return to play periods now, fingers crossed, all things going well.

“Yeah, hopefully (weeks rather than months). We’ll listen to the medics where that’s concerned.” 

Munster are also hopeful centre Alex Nankivell will pass fit to face Cardiff at Thomond Park this Saturday night after missing last Friday’s URC bonus-point win at Ospreys following a head injury sustained in training.

“He’s tracking well with all of that,” Kyriacou said. “He’s got another thing to do on Thursday but he’s tracking well. Let’s see how he gets through Thursday and he might be in, he might not be, depending on how that goes. Again, we’ll just listen to our medics as far as that’s concerned.” Kyriacou also revealed that academy back-rower Brian Gleeson had undergone ankle surgery, the Tipperary forward having sustained the injury during Ireland’s Under-20 Six Nations campaign.

“He had a bit of surgery on that ankle a few weeks back now but he’s out of his boot, he’s into his rehab programme and his return to play programme.

“I’m not quite sure of the return date, it’s one of them where you kind of listen to the ankle but he’s going well, he’s training well, we’ll see him when he’s ready.” end