Disappointing Injury News For Munster Trio

Initial tests have shown that Gerhard van den Heever suffered cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in Munster’s Champions Cup round 3 game against Clermont Auvergne, and it is expected that the winger will undergo surgery at the end of the month.

It has also been confirmed that prop Dave Kilcoyne will require a six to eight week rehab period for a knee injury he sustained during the same Thomond Park encounter.

While out-half Johnny Holland, who sustained a torn hamstring during Munster’s recent British & Irish Cup clash with Nottingham at Temple Hill, underwent surgery last week and will now face a six-month recovery period.

Mike Sherry, who has been rehabbing a shoulder injury, underwent a third shoulder operation last Monday in London. In August the hooker underwent a second shoulder stabilisation and despite an intensive four-month period of rehabilitation, he experienced persistent symptoms that prevented him from progressing through the relevant phases of his return-to-play protocol.

This week James Cronin (shoulder) and Cathal Sheridan (forearm) continue to be reviewed by the Munster medical staff, while Paddy Butler (hip) makes a return to full training.

The Munster squad were back in the gym yesterday after a physical and bruising round 4 tussle with Clermont. Head coach Anthony Foley will wait on news about Andrew Smith who requires further assessment for a knee injury he sustained in the final minute of the game.

The players will gather in Limerick today as they continue their preparations for their GUINNESS PRO12 match against Glasgow Warriors this Saturday.

Cian Bohane (knee), Alan Cotter (bicep), Keith Earls (knee), Luke O’Dea (wrist), Barry O’Mahony (ankle), Donnacha Ryan (toe) and Damien Varley (foot) are all continuing with their rehabilitation programmes.