Ulster's preparations for Saturday's Heineken Cup match against London Irish were dealt a severe blow this afternoon with the news that Stephen Ferris will be out for up to six weeks.
Ferris, one of the driving forces behind Ulster's revival this campaign, picked up a hand injury during the drawn Celtic League clash with Leinster last weekend and underwent an operation today.
The 21-year-old, who won his first Ireland cap against the Pacific Islands in the autumn internationals, had a small operation to repair damaged ligaments and will be sidelined for between four to six weeks.
That prognosis will see him miss the return match against the Exiles in 10 days time and he will also struggle to be fit for Llanelli's visit to Ravenhill on the second weekend in January.
Kieron Dawson, who played over 190 matches for London Irish in the best part of a decade at the club, is likely to replace Ferris in the Ulster backrow for the match at Reading's Madejski Stadium.
