Struggling Ulster have suffered a new blow as Stuart McCloskey is expected to be sidelined for a significant period of time due to a hamstring injury picked up in last weekend’s defeat to Munster.
The 32-year-old centre could also now be a doubt for Ireland’s Six Nations campaign which opens on February 1 against England in Dublin.
McCloskey who won his 19th cap for Ireland against Fiji last month limped out of Ulster’s 22-19 reverse to Munster in the first half and coach Richie Murphy did not sound confident that his frontline centre will be returning any time soon.
“Stuart will be out he has a significant hamstring injury and will miss at this stage quite a large number of weeks,” said Murphy whose injury-hit side have now lost five games on the bounce and face Connacht on Saturday in Galway.
“So, we’re not quite sure exactly what that (timeframe) is, it’s very early to tell, but we won’t see him for the next good few weeks.”
Winger Zac Ward also left last Friday’s action early with an ankle issue and Murphy stated that a call on his fitness will be made on Thursday.
On a more upbeat note, Nick Timoney, Ben Carson and Nathan Doak will be available for selection for Connacht.
Cormac Izuchukwu is also likely to make the trip while it is unclear if Iain Henderson and Ethan McIlroy will be returning for action to an already injury-depleted squad.