Steph Nel has today named a 24-man squad ahead of Saturday's Parker Pen Challenge Cup first leg tie against Welsh outfit Pontypridd at Ericsson Park.
The Connacht coach will reduce the squad to 22 on Wednesday morning when he names the side.
In addition to long-term absentees through injury, captain Tim Allnutt and Warwick Waugh, Connacht will be without No.8 John O'Sullivan.
There are also injury concerns about a number of other players including Shane Moore, Damian Browne and Michael Swift, although it is hoped all will be fit for selection.
Kick-off in Athlone will be at 5.30pm.
Connacht squad:
James Norton, Gavin Duffy, Mark McHugh, Ted Robinson, Wayne Munn, Darren Yapp, Shane Moore, Martin McPhail, Eric Elwood, Eoin Reddan, Chris Keane, Ronan McCormack, Dan McFarland, Peter Bracken Marnus Uijs, Jerry Flannery, Damian Browne, Rowan Frost, Michael Swift, Colm Rigney, Eric Peters, Johnny O¹Connor, John Muldoon and Alan Maher.