Keith Earls' international injury nightmare could be about to come to an end with the Munster winger on track for a January return which could leave him in line to appear in the Six Nations.

Earls has never played under Joe Schmidt for Ireland and is bidding to recover from a knee problem picked up in national camp in August. He has not played for Ireland since March 2013 as a series of injury problems have ruled him out and the Limerick man's last game for Munster was against Glasgow last May. But Earls, two games shy of a century for Munster, is on course for a January return and while he has yet to resume training and is currently doing rehab, he might yet feature in the concluding Champions Cup pool games in the New Year.

Champions Cup

Munster assistant coach Ian Costello said Earls was included in the Champions Cup squad and would be eligible to play if fit in January when they play Saracens away and Sale at home in their concluding pool games.What is on Munster’s short-term radar is which Irish players they have available for Friday night’s Pro 12 clash with

Ulster

at Thomond Park.

Conor Murray is following the return-to-play protocol on head injuries while Andrew Conway, injured in the opening half of the 38-12 win away to Dragons on Friday night, is also following the same procedure.

It has been announced Thomond Park will host a clash between Ireland and the Barbarians on May 28th.

Meanwhile, Ulster outhalf Paddy Jackson will be out for six weeks after suffering an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during their win over the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium.

Connacht hooker Jason Harris Wright is awaiting the outcome of a MRI scan on a damaged knee sustained after half an hour of the win over Zebre.

Michael Swift has returned to full training and is available while Aly Muldowney has completed the return to play protocols following a concussion. Tiernan O'Halloran will resume full training next week having undergone minor surgery last month.