Malcom O'Kelly and Shane Horgan will undergo further examinations today with the IRFU medical staff before their availability for Leinster's Heineken European Cup quarter-final against Leicester on Sunday is decided upon.

All the province can do is wait and cross their fingers that two of their most influential players will be passed fit for their biggest game of the season.

Nonetheless, the proximity of Ireland's opening Six Nations' opener against Wales seven days' later probably doesn't enhance their chances of playing on Sunday. In this the players, province and national side alike are the victims of the utterly crazy seasonal itinerary which was clearly decided by committee men without the input of players or coaches.

Not before time, next season's schedules intend to create a window before the first Six Nations weekend, with the European Cup quarter-finals being held back until April. But that may be of scant consolation to Leinster. To compound their worries, Matt Williams revealed that "Nathan Spooner strained a 'quad' muscle in training yesterday (Wednesday) which wasn't part of the gameplan to say the least, so we have to wait and see how he fares."

Of their walking wounded, Williams is most optimistic about Reggie Corrigan (strained ankle ligaments). Spooner's ill-timed training accident is of particularly concern because with Andy Dunne, Emmet Farrell and Brian O'Meara all sidelined there is no ready-made outhalf replacement. Leinster's options would then be pitching in recent call-up Richie Governey or gambling on Brian O'Driscoll or Girvan Dempsey.

"It would be a tough call on Brian or Girv, so we'll just have to get the rosary beads out," admitted Williams. Should Spooner make it, those other options still have to be considered when picking the bench. "Rather than name 25 different permutations we've just named a squad," said the Leinster coach. Spooner's overseas status probably enhances his chances of playing however. By comparison, the availability or otherwise of O'Kelly (bruised cheekbone) and Horgan (sore achilles) will probably be decided today.

"It's a protocol we must go through and I'm fully aware of as part of the system, and they need to be cleared by the relevant doctors. It's part of the IRFU policy which is correct the week before an international," said Williams.

"I'm hopeful," said Horgan yesterday non-committedly. "It's still sore but I'm improving all the time, though I won't know until closer to the match."

The starting line-up thus mightn't be finalised until tomorrow at least, with the Leinster management also facing a tricky call at tight-head given the return to arms of Emmet Byrne and Paul Wallace's sound form over the last four games. This will have repercussions at test level, with the odds probably favouring Wallace.

Through it all, the fall-out from the Toulouse hammering, last week's Irish get-together and now these injury concerns, Williams maintains that the squad's spirits have been high and, word has it, the training has intensified this week.

"They understand the enormity of the challenge against a great side on their home ground but to their credit they're picking it up and running with it."

Leicester aren't expected to name a side before tomorrow and may even leave it until Sunday pending Dorian West's recovery from a shoulder injury. Richard Cockeril would be the obvious replacement, with Dean Richards also to decide on where to play the versatile Austin Healey. Most probably that will be at scrumhalf or wing, with Andy Goode to continue as outhalf and placekicker in the continuing absence of Tim Stimpson.

That Leicester's sole defeat in their last 50 games was against Leinster does not, Williams concedes, have much relevance. More pertinent is Leinster's fine record in England over the last three campaigns, which has earned them home-and-away wins over Leicester, Northampton and Newcastle.

The only blemish, of course, in 16 outings this season was last time out to Toulouse a fortnight ago, when Williams conceded that Leinster played badly. He reckons that there will be a positive backlash to that, with Williams admitting that "Since the Celtic League (final) I felt we were off 10 per cent and it needed something to give us a kick in the backside."

Rather than concentrate on the many valid excuses for the off-colour performance in Toulouse, Williams counters by saying "nothing justifies that. That's a sign of weakness. That's just alien to the way I think and alien to what we're about, and the guys know that. It's going to be a huge test of our character but we have to respond to that."

Compared to Leinster's previous challenges this season, Williams likened Leicester to "a combination of Newcastle and Munster. They can play with great width, depending on where (Austin) Healey and Geordan (Murphy) pop up, they've a good general in (Rod ) Kafer in midfield, and obviously a fantastic, experienced pack with the captain of the Lions in the middle of it all."

Garryowen's Jeremy Staunton did not fly out with the Munster team when they departed for Paris at lunch-time yesterday for tomorrow's European Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais at Stade Jean Bouin because of an ankle injury. He sustained the damage in the final pool match against Castres and the ankle swelled again following training during the week. His place will be taken by club-mate Killian Keane.